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Showing posts from December, 2013

SUCCESS FOR MCA IN NEW YEAR HONOURS LIST

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The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is celebrating after four of its team received awards in the New Year Honours list. Malcolm Wright is a Coastguard Watch Officer at Portland Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) and also a Coastguard Rescue Officer. He receives a MBE for more than 40 years of service to Her Majesty’s Coastguard. Malcolm, who lives in Weymouth, Dorset, said: "I am extremely proud and sincerely humbled to receive this award. I joined Her Majesty’s Coastguard in 1973, serving as a member of the Wyke Regis Coastguard Rescue Team and more recently as a full-time officer at Portland MRCC. "I hope my personal recognition is also considered as a reflection of the commitment and calibre of all my Coastguard colleagues with whom I’ve had the great privilege of working alongside during my service.” Rebecca Binstead is the UK Search and Rescue Manager based at the MCA’s headquarters in Southampton. She is recognised with a BEM for her work in suppo

TWO RESCUED AFTER BECOMING STRANDED IN ROUGH SEA OFF SOMERSET COAST

Two men have been rescued after they became stuck in their powerboat approximately ¾ mile off Watchet Marina, Somerset . Swansea Coastguard was first contacted by one of the men just before 11am this morning. They reported that they were struggling in the strong winds and rough sea, and couldn’t get back to the marina. The wind at the time was a force 6, gusting over 30 mph.   The Watchet Coastguard Rescue Team was sent to the scene, along with the Minehead RNLI inshore lifeboat. Due to the tide and weather conditions, the RAF search and rescue helicopter from RMB Chivenor was also sent to the scene. One of the men was winched on board the helicopter and taken to Cardiff hospital showing signs of hypothermia. The other man was taken to safety by the lifeboat.   David Jones, Watch Manager at Swansea Coastguard, said:   "The two men on board this 3 metre powerboat had set out at 4am this morning to do some fishing. However, the conditions proved too

SEVEN AIRLIFTED TO HOSPITAL AFTER FIRE ON BOARD FERRY OFF YORKSHIRE

Six crew members and a passenger have been airlifted to hospital after a fire on board a ferry approximately 30 miles north east of Flamborough Head. Humber Coastguard was first contacted just after 10pm this evening by the MS King Seaways, which had 946 passengers and 127 crew on board. They reported that they had a fire in one of the passenger accommodation blocks, but it had been brought under control and was now out. The Bridlington and Filey RNLI lifeboats were sent to the scene, along with the search and rescue helicopters from RAF Leconfield and RAF Boulmer. Six crew members and one passenger were airlifted to Scarborough hospital suffering what's believed to be the effects of smoke inhalation. Bev Allen, Watch Manager at Humber Coastguard, said: "We have been in close contact with the MS King Seaways this evening and sent resources to assist in the evacuation of those passengers and crew that were showing signs of smoke inhalation. "We are n

COASTGUARDS REMIND DOG OWNERS NOT TO PUT THEMSELVES IN DANGER

Humber Coastguard is again urging dog owners not to put themselves at risk by trying to save their pet. The warning comes after the rescue of a pitbull terrier this afternoon who jumped into the water at Seaham Pier, County Durham. Humber Coastguard received a 999 call just before 1pm by a passer by who spotted the dog in the water and the worried owner on shore. The Seaham Coastguard Rescue Team was sent to the scene, along with the Sunderland RNLI inshore lifeboat. As rescue units were en route, the owner said she was going to go into the water to rescue her pet, but she was discouraged from doing so over concerns for her safety. Soon after, the dog was pulled from the water and brought back to shore by the lifeboat. Graham Dawson, Watch Manager at Humber Coastguard, said: “The owner was worried about her pet and told emergency services that she was going to enter the water to try to rescue her dog. This is something we strongly advise against, as you are likely to get int

COASTGUARD RESCUE TEAMS RESCUE OVER 70 PEOPLE FROM FLOODED CARAVAN PARK

Coastguard Rescue Officers from Herne Bay, Medway and Sheppey have rescued 76 people last night from a caravan park flooded by the River Medway. At just after 2pm yesterday Thames Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) received a call from a member of the public reporting that people were cut off by the rising waters of the River Medway at the Little Venice Caravan and Marina Park at Yalding, Kent. Through rising flood waters and the onset of darkness the Coastguard Rescue Officers checked every caravan and helped the majority of residents to leave using four small boats, and three four-by-four vehicles. Once on dry land the Salvation Army took the rescued people to a local leisure centre. By 8pm yesterday the flood water was chest deep and so the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre called in the Coastguard helicopter based at Lee on Solent to help evacuate the last people who wanted to leave the site. Kent Fire and Rescue Service also joined the Coastguard Rescue team

Coastguard Rescue Teams help evacuate people from River Medway flood

Specialist Water Rescue Officers from the Medway Coastguard Rescue Team and Sheppy Coastguard Rescue Team are helping with to evacuate people from the Little Venice Country Park and Marina inYalding, Kent after they became cut-off by the rising waters of the River Medway.   Over 30 people are being evacuated from the flood (which has reached around 5ft in places) using small tenders. They are likely to be taken by Kent County Council to a rest centre at Maidstone Leisure Centre.

PLANES, HELICOPTERS AND SHIPS INVOLVED IN RESCUE OF FRENCH YACHT CREW 170 MILES OFF SCILLY ISLES

Falmouth Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) has been coordinating the rescue of two French yachtsmen taking part in the Transat Jaques Vabre yacht race 170 miles of Scilly Isles. The yacht ‘Rivages’, competing under its race sponsor name of ‘Cheminées Pousoulat’, was damaged in winds of severe gale force 9 with 10 metre waves. They received an emergency positioning beacon alert (EPIRB) at 18.50pm yesterday and contacted the yacht ‘Rivages’. The 19 metre yacht was on its way to Brest and the two crew reported that the vessel was taking on water and they had problems with the mast. Falmouth MRCC broadcast an alert to all ships in the area to see whether any ship could change course to help the yacht crew. The Norwegian container ship ‘Star Isfjord’, who was 30 nautical miles away, diverted to help the yacht. However the weather conditions meant it could only make very slow progress of 3 knots.   Working alongside the French Coastguard at Griz Nez, Falmouth Maritime Rescu

SEARCH FOR PERSON SEEN IN SEA AT BRIGHTON

Coastguard Rescue Officers, lifeboat crews, Police and a helicopter have been searching for a person who was seen in to the sea near Palace Pier in Brighton. Sussex Police called Solent Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre at 2.24am to tell them that someone was in the sea opposite the Digital Club just west of Palace Pier. People on scene attempted to reach the person but rough seas with 3 metre waves made this impossible. The Coastguard helicopter from Lee on Solent was sent to the scene alongside the RNLI All-Weather Lifeboat based at Shoreham. Specialist Coastguard Water Rescue Officers from Shoreham and Littlehampton and the crew of the RNLI Inshore Lifeboat based at Brighton joined them at the scene to work as ‘spotters’ to help the helicopter and lifeboat try to find the person in the water.   The search is currently ongoing with the RNLI lifeboat based at Shoreham working with Coastguard Rescue Officers, Police officers, South East Coast Ambulance Service HART team

CREWMAN MISSING FROM CARGO VESSEL

At just after 7.30 pm this evening, Humber Coastguard were alerted by VTS Humber to a crewman falling overboard from a small cargo ship moored alongside on the River Trent. The MV Sea Melody was working ropes, when the crewman became entangled and was pulled overboard. He immediately disappeared from view. RAF Rescue Helicopter 128 from RAF Leconfield was immediately re-tasked from a previous incident, and was on scene quickly. The helicopter utilised his FLIR (Forward Looking Infra Red) camera to seek a heat source from the casualty. A Coastguard team from Hull was also tasked to the area to assist with the search. Although the helicopter searched extensively to his fuel endurance, and the Coastguard team searched the shore side and surrounds, nothing could be found. The man is believed to be a 45 year old foreign national. Weather conditions in the area are very poor with gale force winds, and cold, driving rain. Watch Manager Mike Puplett says ‘We understan

COASTGUARDS INVOLVED IN SEARCH FOR MISSING WOMAN ON HAYLING ISLAND

Coastguards are working with Hampshire Police this afternoon following a report of a missing woman in the Hayling Island area. A member of the public approached a police officer earlier today (Wednesday) to say they had seen a woman aged in her late teens to early 20s in a distressed condition, walking in the Beachlands area of the seafront. She was wearing what appeared to be a pink dressing gown. A search for the woman is continuing, involving the Solent Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), the Hayling Island Coastguard Rescue Team, the Portsmouth Sector Manager alongside police. Anyone with information is asked to contact Solent MRCC on 02392 552100 or Havant Police Station by phoning 101.

FISHING VESSEL IN COLLISION WITH SOUTH PIER

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At 6.30am today Tyne Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) reported to Humber Coastguard that the fishing vessel ‘Grenaa Star’ had been in collision with South Pier, Tynemouth . The fishing vessel had begun taking in water and was in need of immediate assistance. Escorted by other local fishing vessels, and the Port of Tyne pilot launch Collingwood, the fishing vessel was able to beach itself on Little Haven Beach. Humber Coastguard requested that the two Tynemouth RNLI lifeboats launch and they have now transferred two salvage pumps to the vessel to deal with the ingress of water. Sunderland Coastguard Rescue Team are also on scene and are keeping watch and reporting back to the Coastguard. Two crew members have been shutting down the fuel supply on board the vessel and will be taken off it shortly by the RNLI. The vessel's skipper suffered an injury and has been taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle for treatment. Mike Puplett, Humber Coastguard Wa

COASTGUARD CHRISTMAS CAROL COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE

Her Majesty’s Coastguard is giving you the gift of safety this Christmas.   Coastguards have produced their very own Christmas carol video, with 12 top safety tips: http://youtu.be/cueC1qXFf7I     Last year, Coastguards dealt with 430 search and rescue incidents over the Christmas and New Year period ( 21 December 2012 – 2 January 2013 ).   Call outs ranged from dogs over cliffs, people stuck in mud, walkers cut off by the tide and broken down boats to Coastguard Rescue Officers supporting Christmas Day swims.    Richard Martin, Chief Coastguard, says: "Her Majesty’s Coastguard responds to calls every day of the year, sending out rescue teams in all weathers and often at unsocial hours. Christmas is no different.   But this festive season we created our very own version of ’12 Days of Christmas’ to make sure people remember some of our key safety messages. "These include checking the weather and tide times before setting out. The

FIRE ON HOLY ISLAND

At 7.35pm Humber Coastguard was contacted by North Eastern Ambulance Service requesting assistance in dealing with a report of a fire at a house on Holy Island , Northumberland. Humber Coastguard requested the rescue helicopter from RAF Boulmer and sent Coastguard Rescue Teams from Holy Island and Seahouses.   The rescue helicopter transferred nine Northumberland Fire and Rescue Officers and a member of the ambulance crew to the island as the causeway from the mainland was closed. Officers at the scene reported that the fire had started in a three bedroom cottage and was at risk of spreading to a neighbouring home, which was prevented by a group of islanders who attempted to contain the fire with their own extinguishers.   One local resident had entered the property to rescue a trapped dog and ambulance crew are checking the man for potential smoke inhalation. Graham Dawson, Watch Manager at Humber Coastguard says, “This was a multi-agency response to an isolated locati

ANGLERS RESCUED AFTER CAPSIZING IN SOLENT

Two men were rescued by a lifeboat from the sea after their angling boat capsized in the Solent this morning. At 9.33am Solent Coastguard received two 999 calls about hearing shouts for help somewhere out in the Solent . Strangely, one caller was on the mainland and the other caller was on the Isle Of Wight .   Solent Coastguard requested the launch of Cowes RNLI lifeboat and Cowes Harbour Master also offered assistance.   Two men in their 60’s were located and rescued from the water and transferred to shore by the Cowes lifeboat and taken by ambulance to St Mary’s Hospital on the Isle of Wight with symptoms of hypothermia. The two anglers had left Bucklers Hard this morning in the 14 foot angling boat and had got into difficulty when their boat quickly capsized while putting out the anchor.   Watch Manager Matt West at Solent Coastguard says, “The men rescued today were not wearing their lifejackets, which were stowed on board.   They were extremely lucky that

FISHING VESSEL SINKS OFF SOUTHWOLD

Three men were rescued by a lifeboat from their life raft after their fishing vessel sank this morning. At 10am Thames Coastguard was alerted to a VHF radio message from the fishing vessel Southern Star reporting that they were sinking and giving their position four miles east of Dunwich in Suffolk . The vessel sank within minutes after a very fast ingress of water in the engine compartment and the crew abandoned to their life raft.   Thames Coastguard requested the launch of Southwold and Aldeburgh RNLI lifeboats.   All three men were located by the ‘Mistress Three’ recovered and transferred to Southwold lifeboat. Watch Manager Aimee Rampton at Thames Coastguard says, “The men rescued today were all sensibly wearing lifejackets and fortunately the weather conditions are a great deal more benign than yesterday, when rough seas would have made it difficult to get into a life raft.   To save time in an emergency at sea, HM Coastguard recommends that boat owners link

DON’T GET CAUGHT OUT AS LARGE WAVES BATTER THE UK COAST

Two women, two young babies in pushchairs and a dog have been rescued after being hit by a large wave at Louisa Bay , Broadstairs. Dover Coastguard received a 999 call from a member of the public who spotted them in trouble as they walked along the promenade. The Margate Coastguard Rescue Team was sent to the scene and found the group sheltering behind a nearby container. One of the Coastguard Rescue Officers managed to guide them to safety in between the waves crashing over. Shortly afterwards, Dover Coastguard was contacted by another member of the public who believed a dog walker had been swept out to sea by large waves in the same area. Two RNLI lifeboats from Ramsgate were launched, along with the search and rescue helicopter from RAF Wattisham. Luckily, the man and dog were found safe and well soon afterwards and all units were stood down. Tony Evans, Senior Watch Manager at Dover Coastguard, said: "With one of the worst tidal surges we’ve s

COASTGUARDS HELP WITH FLOOD RESCUE EFFORTS

Coastguards have been working through the night as parts of the UK have been hit by one of the largest tidal surges in decades.   Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCCs) at Stornoway, Aberdeen , Humber , Holyhead, Liverpool , Thames,  Dover and Falmouth  have been managing the rescue efforts. Nearly 50 Coastguard Rescue Teams have been sent to some of the worst affected areas. Coastguards from elsewhere in the country were also sent to help.   In Moray, the Burghead, Lossiemouth and Buckie Coastguard Rescue Teams, along with the Moray Sector Manager, helped Scottish Fire and Rescue free 10 people trapped on a bus on a coastal road near Buckie. No one was hurt.   In Yorkshire , the Whitby Sector Manager along with the Whitby and Staithes Coastguard Rescue Teams were sent to Sandsend with water rescue equipment after people were putting themselves at risk by driving along flooded roads.   In Norfolk , Happisburgh and Mundesley Coastguard Res

ANGLER RESCUED FROM SEA OFF LIZARD PENINSULA

An angler was rescued from the sea off Cadgwith on the Lizard Peninsula tonight after a friend called the Coastguard to say he was late back from a fishing trip. Falmouth Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre received a call at just before 7pm tonight from the concerned friend. He reported that the angler had left Cadgwith at lunchtime in his small punt and been due back at 4pm today but hadn’t returned. The RNLI lifeboat based at Lizard was asked to search in the area where he was thought to be fishing and a pan pan message broadcast to vessels asking if they could join the search. The survey vessel ‘Triad’ and fishing vessel ‘Scorpio’ joined the sea search whilst the Coastguard Rescue Teams from Porthoustock, Mullion and the South Cornwall Sector Manager began a search of the coastline. At just before 8pm the survey vessel ‘Triad’ reported that they had pulled the angler from the water. He was in urgent need of medical attention and so was transferred to the lifeboat and flown f