HM Coastguard

The skipper of a former fishing vessel has been ordered to pay £3,825 in fines and costs after pleading guilty to firing rocket distress flares when not in need of immediate help. A red distress rocket flare was fired j ust before the boat torch light procession at this year's Salcombe Harbour Festival - popular with participants and spectators - landing on heathland, whilst still burning. Harbour Master Ian Gibson identified and spoke to the culprit Matthew Yeoman, a 50-year-old from Salcombe, and owner of the converted fishing boat Etoile, as it was clear he was not in need of assistance. Two further rocket flares were later fired further out into the harbour amongst moored boats. This resulted in calls to Brixham Coastguard and a response from the Hope Cove and Salcombe lifeboats. Yeoman was spoken to by the lifeboat crews on his boat and admitted to firing the further flares, though not in need of assistance. The flares used by Yeoman had expired in D...

Belfast Coastguard were contacted in the early hours of this morning by the police, following a call they had received from a concerned hotel proprietor whose two male occupants had gone out walking in the Ballycastle area and had not returned. The two men, from America , were expected back at their holiday residence yesterday afternoon. When they had still not been seen or heard from late into the evening, the Coastguard was called by the police and asked to co-ordiante a search of the area. Coastguard Rescue Teams from Ballycastle and Colraine were dispatched to the Ballycastle area and the Irish Coastguard Rescue helicopter was scrambled to look for the two men. After almost 4 hours of searching, the two men were located at Fairhead, they were both airlifted by the Rescue helicopter and transferred into the care of the ambulance service to be treated for the cold temperatures which they had been subjected to and for minor cuts and bruises. Belfast Coastguard Watch Manager I...

Solent Coastguard are searching for a missing boy who was last seen playing in the surf at West Beach , Newhaven approximately 10 meters offshore. Solent Coastguard was alerted to the missing boy via 999 calls and the local National Coast watch Institution. Coastguard Rescue Teams from Newhaven and Burling Gap are searching the area. Solent Coastguard requested the Newhaven RNLI lifeboat to the scene, a Coastguard Rescue helicopter is also searching for the boy. The search conditions on scene are very difficult for the rescue teams involved, with rough seas and poor visibility. Solent Coastguard Watch Manager, Steve Mann said “This weekend we have been expecting hurricane-force winds and we are urging people to take extra care. The crashing waves are spectacular to watch but also extremely dangerous. HM 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."

Thames Coastguard have today been co-ordinating various rescue teams in an effort to rescue a lady stuck in the mud at Herne Bay harbour. The lady was walking with her husband and their dogs near the pier when they both got stuck in the mud. Her husband was able to free himself. Meanwhile two passers by called 999 and asked for the Coastguard. Coastguard Rescue Teams from Herne Bay and Sheppey attended the scene. Thames Coastguard requested a rescue helicopter and the Whitstable RNLI lifeboat.   The Kent Fire, Ambulance and Police also attended. The rescue teams were able to recover the lady who was then transferred by the rescue helicopter to Margate hospital. The Margate Coastguard Rescue Team had prepared the emergency landing site enabling a fast transfer to hospital where she is currently being treated for suspected mild hypothermia. Thames Coastguard Watch Manager, Aimee Rampton said, If you become stuck in the mud try and spread your weight as much as possibl...

If you were taking photos of the waves from the Cobb at Lyme Regis today between 5.30-6pm please urgently contact the police or Coastguard

Coastguards are warning the public to stay away from a bright yellow substance which has come ashore at Hannafore, Looe, Cornwall . The local council are putting up signs to close the beach, and the Environment Agency is sending a team to take samples of the substance for analysis. Brixham Coastguard Watch Manager said, Until the Environment Agency establishes exactly what the pollution is, we advise the public to stay away in case it is hazardous. There have already been a number of dogs affected by the orangey yellow putty like matter. This may be related to the pollution washed up further west in Cornwall , but until we have any more information please avoid the area.

As the Met Office has warned of hurricane-force winds and torrential rain over the latter part of this weekend, HM Coastguard is urging people to take extra care. "In some parts of the country, waves are expected to be as high as 8 or 9 metres. Combined with winds reaching in excess of 80mph, conditions on the sea and along the coast, particularly on cliffs top, are likely to be extremely treacherous. Sending units to help people in these types of avoidable incidents will also put rescue teams at risk. "HM 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."

The skipper of a racing yacht has been made to pay over £100,000 in fines and costs after colliding with a 120,000 ton tanker in the Solent. 32-year-old Roland Wilson, of Perthshire, Scotland, was today found guilty on three counts of breaching international maritime law at West Hampshire Magistrates' Court. On 6 August 2011, the yacht ‘Atalanta of Chester’ was taking part in the first day of racing at Cowes Week. Heading towards Southampton Docks was the tanker ‘Hanne Knutsen’. Skipper Roland Wilson, who at the time was a Royal Navy Lieutenant, said he spotted the red tanker when it was five miles away. However, the yacht sailed into the moving exclusion zone protecting the ‘Hanne Knutsen’. Fearing for his safety, a crew member on board the yacht then jumped overboard moments before they collided with the front of the tanker. The yacht’s rigging then got caught up on the tanker’s anchor causing the mast to collapse onto to the head of one of the crew. He later was...

HM Coastguard dealt with 578 incidents involving canoes and kayaks in 2012. Sadly, there were nine fatalities. The type of call outs ranged from falling in to the water, fighting with strong winds and rip tides, to a lack of survival equipment. But another key issue is canoes or kayaks that have been found drifting at sea or abandoned on shore. Coastguards often spend valuable time tracking down the owners to check if they’re safely ashore or actually in trouble at sea. This occasionally involves a large-scale search and rescue mission, involving coastguard rescue teams, lifeboats and even search and rescue helicopters. HM Coastguard has now produced a free ID sticker which owners can use to write their contact details on and stick on their canoe or kayak. Anne Young, HM Coastguard’s National Liaison Officer for canoes and kayaks, says:   "We recommend that you clearly mark your canoe or kayak with your name and contact details so that if it is lost, st...

A man’s been helped to safety after he was spotted in difficulty off the Sussex coast this afternoon. Dover Coastguard received a call just after 1pm today from a fisherman who reported that a yacht had lost its mast. He went to assist and towed the boat to Sovereign Harbour Eastbourne, where they were met by the Eastbourne Coastguard Rescue Team. It turned out that the yacht had not only lost its mast, but was also lacking radio equipment, distress flares, and didn’t have a rudder. Frank O’Neill, Senior Watch Manager at Dover Coastguard, said: "It was lucky that this man was spotted before he got into real trouble. With no radio equipment or distress flares on board, there was no way he could have raised the alarm. "We always recommend that you have the correct lifesaving equipment with you when heading out on the water. Wear a lifejacket, carry distress flares with you, and make sure you have the right communications...

Rescuers have been searching since 4pm for a man who was reported to be in difficulty whilst swimming in the sea just west of Durdle Door, Dorset. Portland Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre received 999 calls from members of the public at just after 4.00pm today. The callers reported seeing three people in the water, one of whom was in difficulty. The two RNLI lifeboats based at Weymouth were sent to the scene with the police helicopter and the Wyke and Lulworth Coastguard Rescue Teams. They were joined by a Royal Navy helicopter, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, South West Ambulance and Dorset Police. The Coastguard Rescue helicopter based at Portland, who was on another mission when the call came in, later joined the search. Whilst the rescue units were on their way, a report was received that two other people on the beach went out to help the struggling swimmer. Unfortunately they were unable to recover the swimmer from the water. Sadly, the person has...

A search has been ongoing all afternoon for a man who was reported to be in the water to the west of the groyne near Black Rock Station, Brighton. Solent Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre received a 999 call from a member of the public at just before 2.45pm today. The caller reported hearing a person in the water shouting for help. The RNLI lifeboat was sent immediately to the scene, however on arrival the person had disappeared under the water. The Coastguard Rescue helicopter based at Lee on Solent joined the search with the Coastguard Rescue Teams from Newhaven and Shoreham and staff from the Brighton Beach Office, South Central Ambulance and Sussex Police. Unfortunately the person was not found despite a detailed search of the area where they were last seen. The search has now been scaled down because of darkness. The area will be monitored overnight and a further search made at first light in the morning. Solent Coastguard Watch Manager David Willi...

Two fisherman have been pulled from the water after their boat overturned as it was being towed to safety. Humber Coastguard was first contacted by the fishing boat just before 5.45pm this evening via VHF Channel 16. They reported that they were taking on water just off Hemsby Gap. The Caister lifeboat was launched and met up with the boat and managed to get them under tow. But as they were making their way back to shore, the boat overturned with the two on board ending up in the water. By this time, the Winterton Coastguard Rescue Team along with the Gorleston all-weather RNLI lifeboat had been sent to assist. Caister lifeboat crew managed to pull the two from the water, who were both wearing lifejackets. They were said to be shocked but otherwise unhurt. The boat was towed to the beach at Caister, where they were met by the Winterton Coastguard Rescue Team and an ambulance crew. Mike Puplett, Watch Manager at Humber Coastguard, said: “It’s unclear at this time what h...

A vessel that first reported suffering steering problems off the south west of Scotland early this afternoon has now been found and towed to safety. Liverpool Coastguard received a 999 call from one of the two people on board the vessel just after 1pm this afternoon, reporting they were having mechanical problems. They said they were was just south of Burrow Head, having set off from Oban and heading to Liverpool. The Ramsey RNLI all-weather lifeboat was sent to the scene, but they could not track down the vessel. Liverpool Coastguard managed to get hold of those on board again and soon established they were in a different position near the Cumbrian coast. The Workington RNLI all-weather lifeboat joined the search, but again on arrival at this new position there was no sign of the vessel. Further contact was made with the two on board the boat, who were told to set off their distress flares. These weren’t spotted by those on scene. In light of the approa...

A 21-year-old man from Crosby, Merseyside, has been awarded this year’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Trainee Officer of the Year award. Philip Cave , from Fleetwood Nautical College , whose training company is Princess Cruises, has been recognised for his dedication and achievements throughout his training. The maritime industry is of crucial importance to the UK . It brings £14 billion per year to the UK economy. An essential part of this is the vibrant maritime training programmes available to train new seafarers. The award aims to encourage and recognise quality within the maritime industry. Nominations are made by nautical colleges alongside the trainee’s sponsoring company. The winner is decided by a panel of judges, including representatives from the MCA and other industry figures.   Philip said:   "Ever since I was invited onto the bridge eight years ago whilst on a cruise, I have wanted to be a Deck Officer, an...

A three-year-old girl has been rescued from the water after falling overboard from a ferry arriving at Seacombe, Merseyside. Liverpool Coastguard was contacted just after 3.30pm this afternoon by a passenger ferry reporting that a toddler had gone overboard while they were preparing to moor alongside at Seacombe. A crewman went in after and managed to quickly recover the girl and get her safely ashore. She has since been taken to hospital but it's believed she hasn't been badly injured. A Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Surveyor has now boarded the ferry and is talking to the crew to try to find out what happened.

Two people have been airlifted from a small passenger vessel this evening after she broke her moorings at Hunstanton. The anchor was carried away and the vessel grounded on a sand bank with engine failure in high winds and heavy seas. The passenger vessel ‘Sealion’ broadcast a mayday message at 10.20 pm, picked up by Humber Coastguard. The two people on board put their lifejackets on, whilst Humber Coastguard scrambled a rescue helicopter from RAF Watisham. Mario Siano, Humber Coastguard Watch Manager says: “I am pleased to report that the two people who were onboard the passenger vessel have now been airlifted off and have been landed into the care of the Hunstanton Coastguard Rescue Team. Weather conditions tonight have been difficult – there have been high winds and heavy seas. The crew were wearing lifejackets with lights on which, if they had ended up in the water would have made their location much easier.”

Coastguards are reminding canoeists and kayakers to take a method of communication with them after a kayaker was rescued from the sea off Shoeburyness this evening. A member of the public made a 999 call to Thames Coastguard at 5.00 pm this evening, reporting their concern for a pair of kayakers who appeared to be in difficulty. A member of the Southend Coastguard Rescue Team was sent to investigate and found that one of the kayakers was now in the water and unable to get back into his vessel.   Thames Coastguard requested the Southend RNLI Lifeboat to launch and the kayaker who was in the water was quickly recovered and brought to shore. By this time he had been in the water for an hour. The second kayaker was then able to paddle to shore. Phil Wilson Watch Officer at Thames Coastguard says: “These two kayakers were well kitted out for their trip with buoyancy aids, etc. However they had not brought some vital equipment with them: a method of communication for an emer...

Two kayakers were rescued from mud banks in Portsmouth Harbour this evening. At 5.07pm Solent Coastguard received a 999 call from a father and son who were trapped on mud banks in Portsmouth Harbour .   They were only able to give their position as somewhere in Portsmouth Harbour and Solent Coastguard initiated a search of the water between Gosport and Portsmouth .   Portsmouth and Hillhead Coastguard Rescue Teams along with Gosport lifeboat and Queen’s Harbour Master (QHM) managed to locate them on a mud bank but neither a life boat nor Coastguards could get out to their position so they were airlifted by the Coastguard rescue helicopter from Solent at 6.24pm.   The pair were very cold and were checked for signs of hypothermia.   The father and (adult) son had been paddling from Portchester to Gosport on kayaks when they grounded and were stranded on a mud bank with a falling tide. Watch Manager Lucy Tanner at Solent Coastguard says, “No...

Lyme Regis Coastguard Rescue Team recovered a collie dog from a deep ravine on the Devon coast today. Portland Coastguard was contacted by the distressed owners of the dog on Saturday afternoon reporting that the dog had chased a pheasant over the edge of a deep rock gulley between Lyme Regis and Seaton.   Lyme Regis Coastguard Rescue Team made a thorough search but were unable to find the dog in the failing light. The owners returned in the morning and with the help of the Coastguard Rescue Team they heard the dog in the ravine below and a member of the team went down on ropes to retrieve the dog. The four year old collie was reunited with the owners from Teddington, who were holidaying nearby at Colliford. Watch Manager Maddy Davey at Portland Coastguard says, “Happily this animal has been very fortunate to survive the 40 foot fall into the ravine and then to be rescued.   The best advice we can offer to dog owners walking at the coast is to always ...

Two men have been rescued off the Devon coast after their motor vessel broke down and they began drifting out to sea. At 1.18pm Brixham Coastguard was alerted to a faint VHF radio broadcast from the motor vessel Flying Fox calling Hello Hello. Brixham Coastguard spoke with the caller who said they had broken down and were drifting out to sea and believed they were in a position one or two nautical miles off Blackpool Sands, Devon but the vessel was finally located some five miles from this location.     Brixham Coastguard was contacted by the skipper of a nearby vessel called Shiraz who agreed to go the position and locate the motor boat but was unable to find it.   Dartmouth Coastguard Rescue Team was called out to search from the shore for the boat.   The VHF radio contact had been lost and a PAN PAN message was broadcast to all vessels in the area to keep a look out.   The casualty used a mobile phone to call Brixham Coastguard who asked them ...

At a hearing today at Truro Magistrates Court, the owner of a tanker paid a total of  was fined and costs awarded totalling £22,500 in fines and costs  after pleading guilty to a breach of  UK  maritime pollution legislation. On  25 February 2012  a satellite operated by European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) detected a ship trailing a slick in the waters between Lands End and the Scilly Isles.  A report was made to the MCA.  The alert level was given as RED, i.e. high confidence.  The ship was identified as the  Singapore  registered tanker Maersk Kiera. The slick itself was within 12 miles of land. The vessel was contacted by Falmouth Coastguard to query whether they were carrying out tank cleaning operations as they had satellite imagery of oil traces in the track of the Maersk Kiera.  The Master confirmed to Falmouth Coastguard that tank cleaning and associated discharge following a cargo of palm oi...