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Showing posts from April, 2015

FISHING VESSEL SKIPPER CHARGED OVER COLLISION AT CARLINGFORD LOUGH

At a hearing today in the County Court Division of South Down, Lindsay Haugh, the Skipper of the fishing vessel Onward N336, was fined a total of £2,500 plus costs of £231 after pleading guilty for failing to keep a proper lookout. On 12 th September 2014 at approximately midnight the fishing vessel Onward N336 was heading back from fishing grounds in thick fog to its home port of Killkeel when it collided with the Clipper Pennant, a Seatruck Ferries vessel at anchor off Carlingford Lough, Northern Ireland. Lindsay Haugh, aged 44, from Killkeel pleaded guilty to unlawful conduct endangering ships, structures or individuals off Carlingford Lough, contrary to section 58 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, in that he omitted to monitor the recognised VHF channels, omitted to view radar in reduced visibility and omitted to keep a proper look out and as such omissions were deliberate or amounted to a breach, or neglect of duty. In passing sentence His Worship District Judge Kin

SEARCH FOR MISSING KAYAKER CONTINUES

The search continues this morning for the kayaker who has been missing since yesterday evening. Hillhead and Portsmouth Coastguard Rescue Teams are undertaking shoreline searches; the Coastguard helicopter from Lee on Solent is searching along the coastline and out into the Solent;  Lymington Lifeboat is searching and the Coastguard is making broadcasts to all shipping, requesting that they keep a sharp lookout for the kayak and missing person.

COASTGUARD COORDINATE SEARCH FOR MISSING KAYAKER

The Coastguard helicopter, Coastguard Rescue Teams and lifeboats are searching for a missing kayaker tonight after he was reported as overdue to the Coastguard. The kayaker left from Hillhead and has not returned as expected. Ash Rawson, Controller at the National Maritime Operations Centre at Fareham says: “We are searching for a kayaker who was expected home last night (18 th ). A vessel has been in contact with us to report a possible sighting and we are following up on this report as well as continuing our indepth search of the area with multiple agencies.”

COASTGUARD COORDINATE RESPONSE TO 15 PEOPLE REPORTED AS STUCK IN MUD AT WOOD SPRING BAY, CLEVEDON

A lifeboat, two helicopters, coastguard rescue teams and a Fire and Rescue Service hovercraft all responded to a Coastguard request to attend an unfolding incident at Wood Spring Bay Clevedon today after two motorcyclists reported that a number of people were stranded in mud. The Coastguard received the report, via Clevedon Lifeboat, at just after midday. The Coastguard helicopter from Portland, a search and rescue helicopter from RAF Chivenor, the Portishead RNLI inshore lifeboat, the Weston-super-Mare and Portishead Coastguard Rescue Teams and the Somerset Fire and Rescue Firefly Hovercraft all attended the scene. Two of the people were airlifted to shore by the Coastguard helicopter, 11 others were able to make their own way back to shore and 2 decided to remain on scene. The group had been participating in geocaching. Roger Reed, Senior Maritime Operations Officer for HM Coastguard said: “The report came to us at just after midday today that 15 people were stuck in

FOG LEAVES SWIMMER IN DIFFICULTIES

A man who went out for a swim got into difficulties after being caught in fog. The 29 year old had gone for a swim east of Littlehampton Harbour entrance but was lost to sight of his Brother onshore who called the Coastguard. Littlehampton Coastguard Rescue Team and Littlehampton Lifeboats were sent to look for the missing man. He was retrieved from the water by Littlehampton CRT but did not require an ambulance. National Maritime Operations Controller for the UK Coastguard, Ashley Rawson said; "A combination of the fog which can appear quickly this time of year and the tide can leave people in difficulty. "You can think that you’re swimming and making progress but the tide can be against you and with the fog you have no idea where you are and how far you’ve got. "This is the third incident like this in about a week which can be attributed to the warmer spring weather that catches the public unawares as the sea temperatures are still low."  

COLLISION WITH RIVER TYNE BREAKWATER LEADS TO COURT

At a hearing today at South Shields Magistrates Court, Robert Trueman, the Owner/Skipper of a fishing vessel was fined a total of £5,000 plus costs of £4,536.18 after pleading guilty for failing to keep a good lookout. Trueman was also ordered to carry out 120 hours of community service and to pay £60 victim surcharge. On the morning of 17 th  December 2013, the UK registered fishing vessel Grenaa Star left the North Shields Fish Quay bound for the North Sea fishing grounds. Shortly after leaving, the Grenaa Star  struck the south breakwater, began taking in water and was quickly grounded on the nearby Littlehaven Beach to prevent it sinking. The incident was reported by a passing vessel. At the time of the collision the Grenaa Star had a crew of three onboard.  The vessel was attended by Officers from the Marine Unit of Northumbria Police. Once on board they ascertained that Trueman had been alone in the wheelhouse with the two other crewmen being below decks at the time of t

FOUR RESCUED AFTER THEY HAD THAT SINKING FEELING OFF EXMOUTH

Four people were rescued from the water this afternoon after their 18ft speedboat sank off the coast between Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton. The UK Coastguard was phoned by one of the people on the speedboat at just before 3 O’clock this afternoon. The Coastguard was told that the engine had stopped working and that the speedboat was filling with water. There were three adults and one teenager on board and only the teenager was wearing a lifejacket. The RNLI lifeboat based at Exmouth was sent to the scene. Unfortunately the situation with the speedboat deteriorated before the lifeboat could reach them and the four people had to jump in to the water. The Exmouth lifeboat rescued all four people from the sea and brought them back to shore where they received medical attention. Peter Davies from UK Coastguard said; “The person who called us this afternoon did exactly the right thing by calling for help at the earliest opportunity. Because they called when they did the amount of t

COASTGUARD HELICOPTER WINCHES TEENAGE GIRL FROM CLIFF

UK Coastguard were contacted this evening by a father who witnessed his teenage daughter accidentally falling over a cliff edge just North of Chimney Hole, Filey, North Yorks. Coastguard Rescue Teams training nearby were able to get on scene within 10 minutes.  Specially trained cliff technicians were able to descend to the girl and administer first aid until the Coastguard Rescue helicopter arrived on scene. Coastguard Rescue Teams from Filey, Scarborough, Burniston, and Bridlington attended along with the inshore lifeboat from Filey. The Coastguard Rescue helicopter from Humber transferred the casualty to Hull hospital. If you are out on the coast this Easter break make sure that you are properly equipped for walking along coastal paths. In particular remember to wear sturdy shoes or boots and check the weather forecast before you set out. Do not attempt to climb up or down cliffs unless you are properly equipped and trained to do so. Do not attempt to climb cliffs as a

Pregnant woman and partner rescued from upturned trimaran

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Two people were taken to hospital by helicopter this afternoon after their trimaran capsized one nautical mile off Dungeness Point. Dover Coastguard received a report from a member of the public at 3.00 pm that two people were in the water, clinging to the upturned hull. The Coastguard contacted the HM Customs cutter, ‘Valiant’ which was already out on the water. They were able to get to the vessel within minutes and as they neared it, spotted a red flare which had been fired. The cutter stood by the vessel, ensuring the safety of those in the water and marking the upturned hull. Meanwhile the Coastguard had requested the Dungeness RNLI lifeboat to launch and the couple were picked up from the water and brought to shore, then taken to William Harvey Hospital by the rescue helicopter from RAF Watisham. They were cold and shaken by the ordeal but otherwise unharmed. Bob Giles, Dover Coastguard Watch Manager said: “The couple were thrown into the water after their vessel capsiz