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Showing posts from October, 2014

MASTER FINED AFTER WIND FARM VESSEL COLLISION OFF GRIMSBY

The master of a wind farm passenger transfer vessel has today been ordered to pay £9,702 in fines and costs after pleading guilty to a breach of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995. Michael Gallagher was in charge when the workboat catamaran Windcat 9 with 15 people on board when it  hit a large floating military target in Donna Nook Air Weapons Range on 21 November 2012. At the time the collision Windcat 9 was estimated in traveling around 23 knots (26 mph). The hull of the Windcat 9 was badly damaged, causing extensive flooding, but there were no injuries. An investigation by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) found that Mr. Gallagher was not keeping a proper lookout and had incorrectly set his electronic navigation equipment. Today Mr. Gallagher pleaded at Southampton Magistrates Court to breach of Section 58 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995. He was fined £1,500 and told to pay £8,082 in costs plus a victim surcharge of £120. Gwen Lancaster, Surveyor in Charge at Hull MCA Ma

SURVEY SHOCKERS: THIS IS NO TRICK AND CERTAINLY NO TREAT

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Survey and inspections are carried out to ensure that vessels are safe to set sail. Any structural defect, issue with communications or lifesaving equipment on board could mean the difference between life and death on the water. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) surveyors that carry out these inspections are trained to spot any issues, and are on hand to offer advice.   In the most serious of cases, the MCA can detain vessels to stop them from sailing, until the necessary improvements are made. SHOCKER 1: Sickening Sink So what happens when a surveyor boards a vessel?  Well, they take time to look around and thoroughly inspect the state of it. This can include crew living accommodation. This ship was detained due to a number of safety, health and welfare issues, including deficiencies in the crew accommodation with a lack of hot water and heating. As you can see, the cleaning regime leaves a lot to be desired. But that's only the start of it. SHOCKER 2: Crazy Ca

TWO AIRLIFTED FROM SEA AT DUNOON

The Coastguard received a call from the police this morning who had witnessed, via CCTV, a small vessel sinking in Dunoon, the Firth of Clyde.  Two passengers were seen going into the water, and then clinging on to rocks. The Coastguard requested the RNLI lifeboat from Helensburgh to the scene, but the weather conditions prevented the lifeboat from getting close enough to enable a rescue. A nearby passenger ferry had sight of the casualties and was able to circle the area, keeping a visual, until the Royal Navy rescue helicopter from Prestwick was able to get on scene. The two casualties were airlifted and transferred to a nearby landing site. The Coastguard Rescue Team from Dunoon and the Coastguard Sector Manager from Clyde were on scene waiting for the helicopter. On safe arrival the two were then transferred into the care of an ambulance crew.

SURFERS IN TROUBLE AT NEWQUAY

The Coastguard coordinated a search at Mawgan Porth near Newquay after a group of surfers got into difficulty.  Three people were recovered from the sea and transferred to hospital. The Coastguard received multiple 999 calls from people at Mawgan Porth beach this afternoon when a group of surfers got into difficulty.  The Coastguard launched a search involving Newquay and Padstow Coastguard Rescue Teams, RNLI lifeboats from Newquay and Padstow and the rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose.  Police and South West Ambulance crew also attended.  The group who got into difficulty consisted of seven people with boards in the water; four people were all located safe and well on shore but three adults were recovered from the water.  Two of those recovered from the water were given CPR at the scene.  The three casualties were transferred to hospital by the rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose and both the Devon and Cornwall Air Ambulances.

BODY OF LATE NIGHT SWIMMER FOUND AT NEWQUAY

A man’s body has been found off the beach at Newquay after a 999 call triggered a search in the early hours of Saturday. At 2.43am the Coastguard received a 999 call from a lady on a Newquay beach reporting that her boyfriend and a friend had gone swimming in the sea while   under the influence of alcohol and only one of them had returned. The Coastguard launched a search of the area for the missing swimmer involving Newquay and Padstow Coastguard Rescue Teams, Newquay RNLI All Weather and Inshore Lifeboats and the rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose. The missing swimmer was located in the surf line by the Newquay Inshore Lifeboat, the Ambulance Crew attended to the casualty before being airlifted to Treliske Hospital where he was later declared deceased.

MCA APPOINT NEW DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY AND CORPORTATE SERVICES

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The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has appointed Bill Dunham as the new Director Strategy and Corporate Services (DSCS).  This new post combines the current role of Director Strategy and Finance with new responsibility for the Human Resources, Information and Communications Technology and Estates Management functions.  Bill is currently serving as the Deputy Commandant General of the Royal Marines, in the rank of Brigadier.  On his new appointment Bill said: “Serving for over 35 years in the Royal Marines has given me an enduring sense of the importance of the sea for Britain as an island nation.   "I am excited about being able to maintain my maritime links whilst exploiting my knowledge of the sea and using my wider planning, leadership and management skills in this newly created role.  “I look forward to getting to know everyone when I start on 20   January 2015.” Images of Bill Dunham are  available from the MCA Image library .                                  

STRONG WINDS BATTER PARTS OF UK

As parts of the UK continue to be affected by gale-force winds today, the Coastguard is urging people to take extra care.   Gusts of up to 70mph have been reported in some coastal areas and combined with the stormy seas, conditions are treacherous. The Met Office reports that the strong winds are expected to last throughout much of the day. Liverpool Coastguard has this morning dealt with a number of vessels that have broken free from their moorings in the strong winds.   Paul Parkes from Liverpool Coastguard says:   “The crashing waves may be spectacular to watch but they are also extremely dangerous. The Coastguard’s advice is simple: don’t take risks. But if you do get into difficulty, or spot someone who might be in trouble, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard."

FALMOUTH COASTGUARD OPERATIONS CENTRE JOINS NATIONAL NETWORK

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Falmouth Coastguard Operations Centre (CGOC) is to become part of the new Coastguard national network for the very first time this week. Work has been carried out at the search and rescue coordination centre at Pendennis Point, upgrading the technology and introducing new systems. This means Falmouth CGOC will be connected to the National Maritime Operations Centre (NMOC) in Hampshire and other Coastguard stations around the country, which will be able to offer mutual support during busy periods. From Saturday 1 November 2014, Falmouth CGOC and the new national network will take on operations from Brixham Coastguard. The changes to Her Majesty’s Coastguard will see the NMOC and 10 other CGOCs around the UK work together to manage the workload. There will be no reduction in rescue resources. The availability of Coastguard Rescue Teams, lifeboats, rescue helicopters and other rescue units will be unaffected. James Instance, Maritime Operations Controller at Falmouth CGOC, said: “

APPEAL TO OWNER OF GROUNDED YACHT TO CONTACT COASTGUARD

Coastguards have issued an urgent appeal to the new owner of a yacht that washed ashore at Seaton Harbour, Devon, earlier today (Friday 17 October) to get in touch. At around 10am this morning a call was received from a member of the public that the vessel, the Yacht Louise - a 25ft to 30ft Hurley 20 with a blue hull - was aground at Culverhole Point. Signs of recent occupancy and activity on-board have raised concerns that the yacht’s owner may have gone overboard.  Coastguards and Devon and Cornwall police have so far been unable to contact him.  The Lyme Regis inshore lifeboat, the Sidmouth independent lifeboat and the Lyme Regis and Sidmouth Coastguard Rescue team as well as Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 106 are continuing to search the area. Steven Mann, Coastguard in charge of coordinating the search, said: “Given the uncertainty of the situation, we are very keen to hear from the owner of this yacht if he is safe and well.  In the meantime we will continue to car

'MAKE A DIFFERENCE' IN NORTH YORKSHIRE - VOLUNTEER AS A COASTGUARD

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This October, we are all being asked to ‘Make A Difference’ and what better way to do so than by volunteering with the Coastguard Rescue Service. ‘Make A Difference’ is a month long campaign by the charity Community Service Volunteers (CSV) to encourage more people to volunteer. Her Majesty's Coastguard is the emergency service responsible for coordinating maritime search and rescue in the UK. One rescue resource often called into action is the Coastguard Rescue Teams. There are 347 of these teams in the UK, made up of more than 3,200 volunteers. The Redcar, Robin Hood’s Bay, Skinningrove, Staithes and Whitby teams are currently looking for new recruits. In the past year, the teams have collectively been involved in more than 200 incidents, ranging from capsized boats to people stuck on cliffs and water rescues. So what's it like to be a Coastguard Rescue Officer? Here's Keith Gregory, Deputy Station Officer with the Staithes Coastguard Rescue Team to tell us why.. &q

WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN NORTH YORKSHIRE? BECOME A COASTGUARD

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This October, we are all being asked to ‘Make A Difference’ and what better way to do so than by volunteering with the Coastguard Rescue Service. ‘Make A Difference’ is a month long campaign by the charity Community Service Volunteers (CSV) to encourage more people to volunteer. Her Majesty's Coastguard is the emergency service responsible for coordinating maritime search and rescue in the UK. One rescue resource often called into action is the Coastguard Rescue Teams. There are 347 of these teams in the UK, made up of more than 3,200 volunteers. The Redcar, Robin Hood’s Bay, Skinningrove, Staithes and Whitby teams are currently looking for new recruits. In the past year, the teams have collectively been involved in more than 200 incidents, ranging from capsized boats to people stuck on cliffs and water rescues. Water rescue Chris Coulter, Senior Coastal Operations Officer at Whitby, said: “Coastguard Rescue Officers are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, ready to r

EXERCISE SABRINA - PRESS STATEMENT

Jointly with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, at Clevedon on 16th October BP Shipping is taking part in an Oil Spill Response exercise, to test North Somerset’s Oil Pollution Plan and the UK’s national emergency response plan, which seek to protect our coastline. Much thought and preparation goes into these essential plans, but an actual exercise could highlight areas for possible improvement. While this will include local deployment of people and equipment, it will not involve a vessel or any escape of oil. We hope and believe that there will be no disruption to residents and businesses, and thank them for their understanding during this short test of plans and processes. Further information: Robert Wine, Group Press Officer, +44 (0) 20 7496 4827

MINISTER AWARDS MCA’S TRAINEE OF THE YEAR

The “hard work and dedication” of a 25-year old Merchant Navy officer cadet has been recognised with an award that will be presented by the UK Shipping Minister at a ceremony in London today, Wednesday 15 October 2014. Jonty Turnbull of Blackpool and the Fylde College, who was serving on-board the Foreland Shipping-owned vessel, MV Hartland Point, is the 2014 winner of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s (MCA) Officer Trainee of the Year Award. The award will be presented at Haberdashers Hall, London, by the Rt Hon John Hayes MP, Minister of State for Transport, whosaid,"I am delighted to attend the ceremony today. It is so important that we celebrate these achievements, not just for the individuals involved, but to ensure we all share in the pride and grow through the success of all the winners. The esteem in which the UK maritime sector is held worldwide is itself a celebration of our maritime heritage - past, present and future." The award aims to encourage and reco

LEAVE YOUR DETAILS WITH A SHORE CONTACT BEFORE SETTING TO SEA

Humber Coastguard is reminding shore divers to leave details of where they are going and when they expect to return with a shore contact following a search for some divers earlier this afternoon. The Coastguard received a call from a concerned member of the public who had seen two shore divers go into the sea in thick fog west of Sheringham but who had not seen them return. Cromer and Sheringham Coastguard Rescue Teams were sent to investigate and the Sheringham RNLI lifeboat was requested to launch. A short while later the two divers came out of the sea and reported back to the coastguard that they were fine but that they had seen another three divers go into the sea and that they had not returned. One of these three also returned a short while later but reported that the other two were out at sea and that he did not know where they were. The lifeboat began a search for the remaining two divers, but they too eventually arrived back on shore safe and well. Graham Dawson, H

HOVERCRAFT PILOT JAILED FOR BEING OVER ALCOHOL LIMIT

A Hovercraft pilot from the Isle of Wight has today been jailed for 8 months after pleading guilty to being over the alcohol limit while on duty.  50-year-old Richard Pease fell ill at the controls of a Hovertravel hovercraft heading from Portsmouth to Ryde on 22 June 2014. During the course of the day, a total of 134 passengers had travelled on board the Freedom 90 hovercraft which was under the control of Pease. He had also been unable to get up the ramp at Southsea until a colleague boarded the vessel and took over the controls. No one was injured. Pease, from Cowes, was later breathalysed and was found to have 96 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of breath, three times the drink drive limit of 35mg. At a previous hearing Pease pleaded guilty to being a master of a hovercraft having consumed excess alcohol, under the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003. He was jailed for 8 months. In sentencing, Judge Susan Evans, said: "You put in jeopardy the sa

CREW MEMBER OF NEWLYN FISHING BOAT FAILED TO KEEP LOOKOUT

A cr ew member of a Newlyn fishing boat that collided with a coaster has been ordered to pay a total of £2,100 in fines and costs after failing to keep a proper lookout. At a hearing today (Friday 10 October)at Bodmin Magistrates Court, Andrew Cowan-Dickie , a crew member of the Newlyn based trawler,  James R H Stevenson , pleaded guilty to failing to keep a proper lookout which resulted in a collision with another vessel.  He was fined £1,000, with £1,000 in costs and a £100 victim surcharge, following an investigation by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.  In sentencing, magistrates took into account Mr Cowan-Dickie’s previous good character. On 25 March this year, the  James R H Stevenson  left Newlyn harbour with four crew on board and headed towards fishing grounds south of Cornwall.  Mr Cowan-Dickie took over as the Officer of the Watch and was the only person on the bridge.  At 4:30pm that afternoon the vessel was in collision with a 2,000-tonne coaster,  Pommern , 14 nau

DRIFTING VESSEL NOW AT ANCHOR IN MORAY FIRTH

The cargo vessel Parida which was drifting unpowered on Tuesday evening is now anchored in the Moray Firth.  A tug is on scene to assist or escort the vessel for inspection or repairs on Wednesday.   

MAN RESCUED FROM DISMASTED TRIMARAN IN CHANNEL

A sailor has been rescued from a battered and dismasted trimaran found this morning 18 miles south of Portland. Coastguards coordinating the search for a trimaran in the channel overnight were contacted by the British naval vessel HMS St Albans shortly before 4am, reporting they were standing by a dismasted trimaran with one person visible on top of the damaged vessel.  The RNLI all weather lifeboat from Weymouth went to the scene and has recovered a man from the damaged vessel and it is reported that there was only one person on board.   The search began on Monday evening after a VHF radio Mayday call was heard in the area.

MAYDAY BROADCAST SPARKS SEARCH IN CHANNEL

An air and sea search is underway tonight for a trimaran vessel in mid channel after a Mayday radio broadcast for urgent assistance was overheard. At 4.50pm the Coastguard was contacted by a merchant vessel reporting that they had heard a Mayday on VHF radio from a trimaran vessel in difficulty and at risk of capsizing and reporting their position in latitude and longitude to be 37 miles south of the Needles (off the Isle Of Wight). Coastguard rescue helicopters from Solent and Portland are searching the area tonight along with all weather RNLI lifeboats from Bembridge and Yarmouth .   A British naval vessel is also assisting with the search and broadcasts for all vessels in the area have been made. Conditions on scene overnight are winds of between force 5 and 6 from the west or south west. No further contact with the vessel has been possible since and limited information was available in the Mayday call.   Coastguards coordinating the search and rescue operation hav

COASTGUARD CHAMPIONS

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“ It's very difficult to single out any individual Coastguard for the actions they have taken in the course of their duties. If you ask them about their work, they will probably say it was just routine, which says more about them than mere words can convey. "Her Majesty's Coastguard is one big team that carries out its duties across the whole of the UK. Whether in coordination centres or on the coast, individuals and teams actions make a huge difference to peoples' lives. Copyright: MCA "Although this week we are talking about just some of our people, I know that every Coastguard in the country is prepared to act in the same way as those featured.  Since 1822 when the Coastguard was formed out of the old Water Guard, we have been safeguarding lives around the coast of the UK. Our staff in the operations rooms and our Coastal volunteer and regular officers are always at immediate readiness to offer assistance to those who require our services at any time, d