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Showing posts from June, 2013

KITESURFER RESCUED AT BIGBURY ON SEA

At just before 8.30pm Hope Cove Lifeboat and Bigbury Coastguard were tasked to a kitesurfer who had been forced onto rocks at Challaborough, near Bigbury. The kitesurfer was rescued by the lifeboat and taken to safety where he was met by coastguards. In worsening weather conditions with fading daylight and despite advice from the lifeboat crew and coastguards, the rescued man insisted on re-entering the water to retrieve his equipment. Hope Cove Lifeboat launched for a second time when the man appeared to be in difficulty again. Luckily the man was able to get ashore before the lifeboat arrived on scene. Brixham Coastguard Watch Manager, Dave Scullion said; "Kitesurfing is an extreme sport, nevertheless we recommend that you should always check the weather conditions before you go out. We also strongly reccommend that you put your name and contact details on all of your gear. Tonight this man was very fortunate that his desire to retrive his equipment did not end in disaster.

16 DIVING DEATHS IN 2012 – ARE YOU PREPARED?

16 divers died off the UK coast in 2012, the highest in 11 years according to new figures from HM Coastguard.   Now as the summer holidays approach, divers are once again being reminded about key safety advice.   The most common incident in 2012 was decompression illness, with 40 recorded last year. Next was broken down dive vessels with 30 incidents, followed by rapid ascent with 23 recorded. Other medical emergencies accounted for 22 incidents.   The south coast was yet again the area with the most incidents with 61 recorded in 2012.   Ken Bazeley, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s National Diving Liaison Officer said:   "The south coast is a very popular area for diving. It’s within easy reach for divers as a drive from Birmingham or the Midlands will take only a few hours, making the area popular for weekend trips.”   Despite the number of fatalities, the overall figures in 2012 were at their lowest for three years, with a total of 177 incidents.

MAN RESCUED FROM THE BASE OF CLIFFS

A man is recovering this evening after being rescued from the base of cliffs near St Mary’s Island, north of Whitley Bay . Humber Coastguard received a call from the North East Ambulance Service at 7.15 pm reporting that the man had fallen about 35 ft and was at the base of cliffs. Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade was sent to the scene, the Cullercoats Inshore RNLI Lifeboat was requested to launch and a rescue helicopter from RAF Boulmer was scrambled. A lifeboatman swam to the casualty, assessed him and administered first aid. Meanwhile, the Volunteer Life Brigade set up its cliff gear at the top of the cliffs and a cliffman was lowered to the casualty, who was then stabilised ready for the helicopter to airlift him to hospital. Katie Gellatly, Humber Coastguard Watch Officer says: “The young man is now recovering is hospital having sustained some leg and elbow injuries. It seems that he was out walking, slipped and fell down the cliffs. If you are out walking al

Fire on River Yealm

Yealm and Plymouth Coastguard Rescue Teams, police, fire service, ambulance, Plymouth RNLI Inshore Lifeboat and the Yealm harbour master dealt with a fire on board a yacht by the visitors' pontoons in the River Yealm this afternoon. One person on board the yacht was evacuated to a neighbouring vessel and checked out by West Country Ambulance personnel. The Fire Service extinguished the fire on the vessel which subsequently sank.

KAYAKER WALKS SEVERAL MILES TO RAISE THE ALARM AFTER CAPSIZING IN GULF OF CORRYVRECKAN

A kayaker has been located safe and well after he capsized in the Gulf of Corryvreckan . Belfast Coastguard was contacted by a local fishing vessel just after 3.30pm this afternoon, reporting that they had spotted the kayak upside down in the water, along with other items including a lifejacket, food parcels, a paddle and a wetsuit. The Jura Coastguard Rescue Team, the RNLI Islay all-weather lifeboat and the Royal Navy search and rescue helicopter from Prestwick were sent to the scene to carry out a thorough search. Belfast Coastguard also issued a mayday relay broadcast on VHF Channel 16 to other vessels in the area to report back if they had any information. Police Scotland then contacted Belfast Coastguard to let them know that the man had turned up at a house nearby. It emerged that he had capsized and was unable to collect his equipment so swam to shore. He then walked several miles barefoot to a house to raise the alarm. Graeme Watters, Watch Manager at Belfast

TWO PEOPLE RESCUED AFTER THEIR DINGHY CAPSIZES IN LOCH CRAIGNISH

Two people have been rescued after their dinghy capsized off Ardfern. Belfast Coastguard received a 999 call just before 2pm this afternoon reporting that a dinghy had capsized in Loch Craignish, with one person in the water, and the other clinging to the top of the dinghy. The Crinan Coastguard Rescue Team and the Royal Navy search and rescue helicopter from Prestwick were sent to the scene. Belfast Coastguard also put out a mayday relay broadcast on VHF channel 16. This was responded to by a yacht nearby at the time, which reported that a tender had picked up the two people and had taken them back to shore. They didn’t require any medical attention. Jude McNeice, Watch Manager at Belfast Coastguard, said: "We are grateful to those vessels in the vicinity that were able to quickly respond to our mayday relay and assist in making sure these two people were brought safely ashore. "The wind speed at the time was force 5 (20mph). We always urge people to

PASSENGER FERRY SAFELY ARRIVES AT HARWICH AFTER IT STRUCK QUAY WALL

A passenger ferry has safely arrived at Harwich International Port after it struck the quay at Parkeston, Essex.    Thames Coastguard was first contacted just after midday with reports that the ferry Sirena Seaways had been damaged after coming into contact with the quay wall. At first the vessel was taking on water, but this was soon stopped and the water level was brought under control.    The Walton Coastguard Rescue Team, the Harwich RNLI lifeboat, the harbour launch boat, the search and rescue helicopter from RAF Wattisham were sent to the scene, along with a number of other nearby vessels and tugs that went to assist.    At 2.45pm the ferry was brought alongside at Harwich International Port and all 489 passengers on board disembarked. No one was injured and there was no reported pollution. Aimee Rampton, Watch Manager at Thames Coastguard said: "Thames Coastguard assisted Harwich International Port with the co-ordination of this incident. We

THREE RESCUES IN TWO WEEKS: BEWARE OF QUICKSAND

HM Coastguard is once again reminding people of the dangers of quicksand and mud in Morecambe Bay after three rescues in just over a fortnight. The first incident was reported to Liverpool Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) on 1 June, when they were told a 14-year-old girl was stuck in quicksand off Silverdale. The Arnside Coastguard Rescue Team was sent to the scene and helped the woman to safety. She was then taken to hospital to be checked over. Then again on 3 June, Arnside Coastguard Rescue Team was called out to the quicksand near the River Kent. This time it was a sheep that had become stuck and there was concern the farmer would put himself at risk as he tried to rescue the animal. The third incident happened on 16 June, when two people were stuck at Sandside. A man had become trapped up to his waist and a woman up to her knees. The Arnside and Morecambe Coastguard Rescue Teams attended, along with Bay Search and Rescue team, Cumbria Fire and Rescue, Cumb

FIVE FOREIGN FLAGGED SHIPS UNDER DETENTION IN UK DURING MAY 2013

  The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) announced today that five foreign flagged ships were under detention in UK ports during May 2013 after failing Port State Control ( PSC ) inspection.   Latest monthly figures show that there were two new detentions of foreign flagged vessels in UK ports during May 2013 and three vessels remained under detention from previous months. Only three vessels remained under detention at the end of May. The overall rate of detentions compared with inspections carried out over the last twelve months was 3.32% this is slightly down from April’s twelve month rate.   Out of the detained vessels three were registered with a flag state listed on the Paris MOU white list, none was registered with a flag state on the grey list, one were 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 one of

MCA GIVES ADVICE ON MLC AND BROWN CODE AT SEAWORK 2013

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency will be at Seawork (25-27 June, stand B67) again this year, giving guidance on a wide range of topics. Staff will be available to discuss current developments in the regulatory framework for workboats, pilot boats and renewable energy industry service vessels, and the Maritime Labour Convention which comes into force internationally on 20 August 2013 . Mark Towl, Vessel Policy Manager, Maritime and Coastguard Agency, says:   “The Maritime Labour Convention, (MLC) 2006 will bring important changes to many sectors of the industry and Seawork will give us the opportunity to inform our customers about how the changes will affect their organisations.” The MCA will be presenting at   Seawork Conference (City Cruise Terminal),     on 25 June in conference room 1: UK application of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC) to Workboats             12:30pm – 1pm Revision of the Brown Code             1:15pm – 2pm ENDS

MCA CELEBRATES SUCCESS IN BIRTHDAY HONOURS LIST

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is celebrating after three of its team received awards in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. Richard Martin, H.M. Coastguard’s Head of Coastal Resources has been recognised for his services to Her Majesty’s Coastguard with an OBE. Richard has worked for the MCA for many years and during this time he has significantly advanced the standards of equipment and safe working practices of the service. He has worked tirelessly to improve the techniques Coastguards use to rescue people on land, in mud and in the water and as a result significant advances have been made in this arena. Richard, who lives in New Milton, Hampshire, said: "I am delighted to have been recognised by Her Majesty in this way. This award is both a great personal honour and a tribute to the dedication and professionalism of Coastguards and colleagues I work with throughout the UK." MCA Maritime Surveyor, Captain Rod Shaw received an MBE for his services t

The MV Fri Ocean update at 9.45 pm.

The master of the vessel called Stornoway Coastguard to confirm that they had managed temporary repairs and had refloated. The ship is mow proceeding at slow speed through the sound of mull to an anchorage in Oban Bay. Tobermory lifeboat is escorting the vessel

CARGO SHIP AGROUND OFF TOBERMORY

A cargo ship has run aground approximately 2.5 miles south of Tobermory, Sound of Mull.   Stornoway Coastguard received a 999 call just after 6am this morning reporting that a 90-metre long vessel carrying wood had run aground on rocks.   The RNLI Tobermory all-weather lifeboat and the Tobermory Coastguard Rescue Team have been sent to the scene.   The seven crew on board are said to be safe and well, with no reported injuries.   The vessel is taking on water but pumps are running to keep the water level steady. The vessel is upright and there is no reported pollution. UPDATE: 10.20 Friday 14 June The small cargo ship MV Fri Ocean was heading from Fort William to Varberg, Sweden. UPDATE: 13.00 Friday 14 June Discussions are underway to decide next course of action. Water level remains steady.

SWIMMER RESCUED AFTER EXTENSIVE SEARCH ALONG SUSSEX COASTLINE

A man was rescued from the sea late last night following an extensive search between Shoreham and Hove . Solent Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) received a call from Sussex Police at 21:52 last night, requesting assistance in the search for a man seen entering the water at Portslade approximately half an hour earlier. A local fisherman saw the man enter the sea and head out for a swim, but became concerned when it became dark and had lost sight of him. Shoreham Coastguard Rescue Team, Littlehampton Coastguard Rescue Team and three RNLI lifeboats – two from Shoreham and one from Brighton – were involved in the search, which was coordinated by Solent MRCC. Following extensive searches by all involved, the man, who had become disoriented and got into difficulties, was located by Shoreham Inshore Lifeboat at midnight , approximately 300 metres off shore south of the Babylon Lounge in Hove . He had been in the water for approximately two and a half hours. Although he

CREWMAN AIRLIFTED TO HOSPITAL FROM TANKER OFF WHITBY

A crewman has been airlifted to hospital after a fire on board a tanker approximately six nautical miles north east of Whitby . Humber Coastguard was contacted by the tanker just after 12.30pm this lunchtime reporting that they were dealing with a fire in the engine room. A mayday relay was broadcast via Channel 16, and two vessels in the area at the time responded and went to the scene. The RNLI lifeboats from Whitby and Scarborough were also tasked, along with the search and rescue helicopter from RAF Leconfield. The injured crewman, one of 17 on board, was winched on to the helicopter and flown to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough . The fire is now out. Arrangements are currently being made to bring the tanker, which has no cargo on board, into port.

ELDERLY LADY RESCUED FROM SURF AT DUNWICH

An elderly lady has been rescued from the water this evening after an extensive search on the Suffolk coast. Thames Coastguard was contacted this evening by Suffolk Police after a lady went missing in Aldeburgh. Her husband contacted Suffolk Police at 4.30pm when his 81 year old wife had not arrived at her daughter's house on her bicycle as expected. She had last been seen at 1.30pm. Her bicycle was found between Aldeburgh and Thorpeness. Aldeburgh Coastguard Rescue Team and Aldeburgh RNLI Inshore Lifeboat searched the shoreline and inshore waters, eventually the lady was spotted by the lifeboat crew at 9pm in the surf at Dunwich, which is seven miles north of where the bicycle was found. The lady was conscious but severely hypothermic when rescued, she was transferred to Ipswich Hospital by the rescue helicopter from RAF Wattisham. The rescue helicopter was met at Ipswich Hospital by Felixstowe Coastguard Rescue Team who helped with the transfer of the patien