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Showing posts from March, 2013

BANK HOLIDAY VISITORS WARNED TO WATCH OUT FOR INCOMING TIDES

Falmouth Coastguard are warning visitors to the coast to watch out for incoming tides after six people were cut off by tonight in two incidents on the Cornish coast. The first call for help was received at 7pm from two people who had been cut off by the tide at Zacrys Island, Newquay. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre at Falmouth sent the Newquay Coastguard Rescue Team and the RNLI Lifeboats from Newquay to the scene. When they got to Zacrys Island it became clear that the sea conditions made a boat rescue difficult and so the Royal Navy Rescue helicopter from Culdrose was asked to winch the couple to safety. The helicopter landed them on the cliff top from where they were taken for a medical check-up. The second call was received by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre at Falmouth just one minute later. A person had been heard calling for help by a member of the public at Gooden Heane Cove, Portreath. Portreath Coastguard Rescue Team was sent to the scene where they fo

MAN RESCUED FROM MUD IN LULWORTH COVE

Portland Coastguard is warning members of the public to be aware of the dangers of becoming stuck in mud in the Lulworth Cove area after a man became stuck up to his waist in mud this afternoon. Portland Coastguard received a call from a member of the public at 3.00 pm this afternoon, reporting that the man, who is in his early twenties, was stuck in mud. Lulworth Coastguard Rescue Team was sent to the scene and the Weymouth RNLI inshore lifeboat was launched. The Dorset Fire and Rescue Mud Team also attended the scene. Whilst the Coastguard Rescue Team attended to the casualty, the Fire and Rescue Mud Team worked on extricating the man using water lances. Once he was freed, he was taken back across the cove by the inshore lifeboat to an awaiting ambulance. Ros Evans, Portland Coastguard Watch Manager says: “As the inshore lifeboat left Lulworth Cove to return to Weymouth they reported that a number of people were walking over exactly the same area of mud. I urge peop

KAYAKER RESCUED OFF RHOSCOLYN

Two kayakers, one of whom was rescued from the sea off Rhoscolyn this afternoon, have been praised for being well equipped and prepared for emergency situations. Holyhead Coastguard received a 999 call from a member of the public at 12.20 today reporting that a kayaker was in difficulty in the water, off Rhoscolyn. Shortly afterwards, the Coastguard received a mayday broadcast from the kayaker, requesting assistance. The Trearddur Bay RNLI Lifeboat was launched, the rescue helicopter from RAF Valley was scrambled and the Holyhead Coastguard Rescue Team was sent to the scene. Once the lifeboat arrived on scene, it quickly located one kayaker and rescued him from the water. He was then airlifted to hospital, suffering with the effects of hypothermia. The other kayaker was found shortly afterwards. He had managed to swim to shore and was safe and well. Mark Craddock, Holyhead Coastguard Watch Manager says: “The kayakers were very well prepared and followed all of the co

MV DANIO SUCCESSFULLY RE-FLOATED FROM FARNE ISLANDS

The MV DANIO, which ran aground on the Farne Islands off the Northumberland coast almost two weeks ago, has been successfully re-floated. Checks are still being made but so far there are no reports of any pollution. At 04.30 on Saturday 16 March, the MV DANIO reported to Humber Coastguard that they had run aground on the Farne Islands . Seahouses RNLI all-weather lifeboat attempted to tow the vessel off the rocks at high water but to no avail. Attempts to re-float the vessel were hampered by difficult weather conditions, but at approximately 03.00 this morning (Thursday 28 March) the vessel was re-floated. Hugh Shaw, Secretary of State’s Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention said: "I am delighted that the salvors have successfully re-floated the ship without any damage to the environment. I would like to take this opportunity to offer my thanks to all concerned with the operation. In particular I would like to thank Titan Salvage for their profes

TWO PEOPLE RESCUED AFTER LANDSLIDE ON SOUTH DEVON BEACH

Two people and a dog have been rescued after being cut off by a landslide.   Brixham Coastguard was contacted just before 10.30 this morning, and told that two women, one of whom is six-months pregnant, and a dog were stranded at Ness Cove near Shaldon. The landslide had covered Smuggler’s Tunnel, which is used to access the beach.   The Teignmouth Coastguard Rescue Team and Teignmouth RNLI inshore lifeboat were sent to the scene. It was soon established that the sea conditions were too rough and it was too close to rocks to extract them safely via the lifeboat. The cliff was too unstable to carry out a cliff rescue using cliff rescue equipment and there were further difficulties in using a rescue harness with the pregnant lady. The fire service was requested to attend and they used an extended 30 ft ladder to get the two women and their dog to safety. They were then handed over to paramedics to be checked over. The fire service has since examined the landslide area usi

EIGHT CREW TOWED TO SAFETY IN GALE

The RNLI Lifeboat from Whitby towed a crew of eight to safety through a Gale today after their boat’s steering and engine failed on the way from Holland to Scotland. At 10.40am today Humber Coastguard received a radio call from the skipper of the sailing vessel ‘Warnhw’ a former pilot vessel. The skipper informed the Coastguard that they had steering and engine failure and they were making their way to Whitby steering by hand. Because the easterly Force 8 winds would make it difficult for the vessel to navigate into harbour on its own, Humber Coastguard decided that the vessel really needed assistance and so the RNLI All-Weather lifeboat from Whitby was sent to attach a tow to the ‘Warnhw’. Because of the conditions in Whitby a decision was made to tow the vessel to Tees Harbour. At just after 2.30pm Whitby lifeboat was joined by the RNLI All-weather lifeboat from Hartlepool. They also attached a tow-line to the ‘Warnhw’ and helped bring the vessel safely in to Tees

INJURED PORTUGUESE FISHERMAN RESCUED OFF PEMBROKESHIRE COAST

A Portuguese fisherman has been taken to hospital after suffering a head injury on board a fishing vessel approximately 30 nautical miles west of St. Ann 's Head. Milford Haven Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) was contacted by the French authorities just before middaytoday to say a fisherman needed to be evacuated. Watch keeping staff at Milford Haven MRCC tried to make contact with the vessel, but this was made difficult as those on board spoke little English. A member of staff from the MRCC who spoke French, managed to pass on some information. The RAF search and rescue helicopter from Chivenor was sent to the scene but weather conditions proved too tricky for a winchman to be lowered on to the vessel to recover the casualty. The RNLI all-weather lifeboat from Angle was then requested to launch to meet with the vessel, which was asked to head closer to land to try to find calmer waters. HMS Echo also went to assist. RAF Chivenor returned to the scene and wa

CAR IN WATER AT KING HARRY FERRY

A search and rescue operation was launched by Falmouth Coastguard this afternoon after a car went into the water at the King Harry Ferry crossing in Cornwall . At 4pm Falmouth Coastguard were informed that a vehicle had gone into the water on the Philleigh side of the King Harry Ferry.   Reports indicated one person was still in the vehicle. Falmouth and Portscatho Coastguard Rescue Teams began a search along with the inshore and all weather RNLI lifeboats from Falmouth .     The Royal Navy search and rescue helicopter from Culdrose was also on scene. Divers went on scene to help locate the vehicle underwater and while search and rescue teams continued a search of the water and shore line, Fire and Rescue units winched the vehicle out of the water.   The lady occupant of the vehicle was recovered from within the car at 6pm and was transferred to hospital by helicopter.  

CORNISH FERRY COMPANY AND SKIPPER FINED OVER SAFETY BREACHES

A ferry company and a skipper have today been ordered to pay a total of £12,030 in fines and costs after pleading guilty to several breaches of maritime safety legislation at Truro Magistrates Court. The Falmouth Marine Office of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) received a complaint from a member of the public claiming that the Flushing Ferry MIRANDA had been carrying more passengers than permitted on the 30 April 2011 . Upon arriving at the Prince of Wales jetty, Falmouth , footage was recorded on a mobile phone of a passenger vessel discharging 28 passengers and crewed alone by Gareth Hudson. No mooring lines could be seen securing the vessel to the shore. An investigation by the Enforcement Unit of the MCA determined that the passenger total onboard was within the numbers permitted on the MIRANDA's Passenger Certificate. However it did highlight other problems. 39-year-old Hudson from Perranarworthal, did not hold the appropriate qualification, a Boat Master License (B

ELEVEN FOREIGN FLAGGED SHIPS UNDER DETENTION IN THE UK DURING FEBRUARY 2013

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) announced today that eleven foreign flagged ships were under detention in UK ports during February 2013 after failing Port State Control ( PSC ) inspection. Latest monthly figures show that there were three new detentions of foreign flagged vessels in UK ports during February 2013 and eight vessels remained under detention from previous months. Only six vessels remained under detention at the end of February. The overall rate of detentions compared with inspections carried out over the last twelve months was 3.55% this is slightly down from January’s twelve month rate.   Out of the detained vessels six were registered with a flag state listed on the Paris MOU white list, two was registered with a flag state on the grey list, two was registered with a flag state on the black list, one was unregistered and none were registered with a flag state that was not included on the Paris MOU white, grey or black lists.   1. In response to