HM Coastguard

Just before 6pm tonight Dover Coastguard received a call from the Police requesting assistance to recover a 27 year old man from the cliffs at Langdon Battery The man had been walking in National Trust owned land at the back of Dover Docks when he lost his footing and slipped. He injured his ankle in the fall. Dover Coastguard requested Coastguard Rescue Teams (CRTs) from Deal, Langdon Battery and Folkestone to the scene. The CRTs deployed cliff gear to get to the casualty. Other assets on scene included three paramedics, an ambulance and the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART). However the man was getting colder and the decision was made to scramble the Rescue Helicopter to airlift him to Margate hospital. Ian Born, Dover Coastguard Watch Manager said, “Accidents can happen but my advice is to make sure you are properly equipped for walking along coastal paths, never attempt to climb up or down cliffs unless you are properly equipped and trained to do so. Carry a mo...

Thames Coastguard was first contacted just before 10am this morning about reports that two people had gone overboard from a ferry approximately one mile off Harwich. Felixstowe and Shingle Street Coastguard Rescue Teams, two RNLI lifeboats from Harwich, the Walton RNLI lifeboat and the search and rescue helicopter from RAF Wattisham have been sent to the scene. They are currently involved in the search along with the ferry, tugs and other boats. UPDATE: 13:30  A thorough search of the area has been carried out but nothing found.  Unless new information comes to light, search and rescue units have now been stood down.  

A Maersk shipping container has washed ashore near Axmouth. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) was informed that a number of containers were lost from a Maersk cargo ship as it crossed the northern stretches of the Bay of Biscay in stormy conditions on Friday 14 February. Most of the containers were empty and are believed to have sunk approximately 75 nautical miles south west of Lands End in French waters. The MCA's aerial surveillance aircraft has been searching UK waters, and ships passing through the English Channel have been warned and asked to report any sightings. Simon Porter, MCA Counter Pollution and Salvage Officer, says: "We have been carrying out extensive searches over the last four days and spotted three containers, one of which has since come ashore and the other two are mid-Channel. We are now working closely with Maersk to ensure they recover their containers, which are their property. "The Beer Coastguard Rescue Team, pol...

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) was informed that a number of containers were lost from a Maersk cargo ship as it crossed the northern stretches of the Bay of Biscay in stormy conditions on Friday 14 February. Most of the containers were empty and are believed to have sunk approximately in French waters, 75 nautical miles south west of Lands End. The MCA's aerial surveillance aircraft has been searching UK waters, and ships passing through the English Channel have been warned and asked to report any sightings. Three containers have been reported so far, one of which is off Start Point, Devon and the other two in mid-Channel. The MCA is working closely with Maersk to ensure they recover the containers, which are their property. The situation is being closely monitored and further searches involving the MCA's surveillance aircraft are likely to be carried out over the weekend. Should any members of the public spot any containers, they should call 999 straight away an...

A boat angler has been rescued after falling overboard near  Lowestoft. He clung to the edge of the small vessel until the rescue services arrived. Humber Coastguard received a call from the angler’s fellow crewman around  8am  today that a person was in the water. The search and rescue helicopter from RAF Wattisham, Lowestoft RNLI Lifeboat and Coastguard Rescue Teams from  Lowestoft  and Gorleston were quickly scrambled. The casualty was airlifted to  James   Paget   University   Hospital  and the other crewman was taken ashore by the lifeboat. Bev Allen, Watch Manager at Humber Coastguard, said: "An angler fell into the water and couldn’t get back into the boat, so clung on until rescue resources arrived. "Fortunately, the sea was calm at the time of the incident, but we strongly advise people to check weather and tides before they set out to ensure they can handle the conditions.”

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) announced today that seven flagged ships were under detention in UK ports during January 2014 after failing Port State Control (PSC) inspection. Latest monthly figures show that there were two new detentions of foreign flagged vessels in UK ports and five vessels remained under detention from previous months. Only six vessels remain under detention at the end of this month.  1. In response to one of the recommendations of Lord Donaldson's Inquiry into the prevention of pollution from merchant shipping and in compliance with the EU Directive on Port State Control (2009/16/EC as amended), the Maritime and Coastguard agency (MCA) publishes details of the foreign flagged vessels detained in UK ports each month. 2. The UK is part of a regional agreement on port state control known as the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (Paris MOU) and information on all ships that are inspected is held centrally in an electronic data...

There was a significant cliff fall on the east side of West Bay, Dorset this afternoon. Reports first came in to Portland Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre at just before 2.30pm. Dorset Police, fire and ambulance are now on scene and working with West Bay Coastguard Rescue Team to establish whether anyone was caught by the landslide which is estimated to be between 200 and 300 tonnes.   There are no reports of anyone missing but to be certain Portland Coastguard are asking anyone who saw the landslide to call 01305 760439 and if they saw anyone caught by the slide to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Lymington Coastguard Rescue Team worked alongside Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Army to rescue 32 people from a beach front restaurant at Milford on Sea.   The alarm was raised at 10pm yesterday when sea flooded the Marine Restaurant and the wind picked up the shingle from the beach and smashed the ground floor windows. The restaurant customers and staff moved upstairs while waiting to be rescued. They were evacuated in an Army vehicle. Conditions were described as extremely dangerous

Coastguard Rescue Officers rescued people from cars tonight on Slapton Road at Torcross, Devon after the waves broke across the coast road depositing water, sand and rocks. At 5pm tonight Brixham Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre received a call from a member of the public reporting that people were putting themselves in danger at a car park between Torcross and Slapton Sands. With very rough seas and gale force winds Coastguard Rescue Officers from the teams based in Dartmouth and Prawle went to the scene where they rescued four people from two cars before the Coastguard vehicle itself became stuck on the Slapton Road. None of the people who were rescued needed medical attention but the Coastguard vehicle will need the attention of a mechanic. Dave Scullion Brixham Coastguard Watch Manager said: "We have storm force winds around the south west tonight and rough seas that are generating waves that are breaking over roads. For their own safety and the safety of the ...

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has issued a detention notice on the vessel Express 1 after inspections by the MCA and Cornwall Port Health Authority. The detention was served for a number of safety, health and welfare issues, including concern over the crew’s emergency training, the fire detection systems and deficiencies in the crew accommodation with a lack of hot water and heating. This notice, which prevents the Express 1 from sailing, will remain in place until the necessary improvements are carried out by the vessel’s owners. Pat Dolby, Inspection Operations Manager with the MCA, said: "Ships visiting our ports in the UK are subject to thorough inspection by us at the MCA and Port Health Authorities to ensure there is no risk to safety, the environment, crew health and welfare and to public health ashore. In addition, it also sends out a clear message to all ship operators that sub-standard conditions that affect the health, safety and welfare of c...

An elderly gentleman has been rescued by the Coastguard after a land slip at Seaton Hole in East Devon . At 4.30pm Portland Coastguard received a 999 call from a member of the public reporting a local resident had fallen down the cliff during a land slip at Seaton Hole. Beer Coastguard Cliff Rescue Team was immediately dispatched and the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter from Portland was scrambled. On scene it was found that the gentleman was stuck approximately three metres down below the cliff edge on a notoriously unstable section with a steep drop below. The Beer Coastguard Cliff Rescue Team was able to safely recover the man (in his 80s) and haul him to safety, where he was passed to the care of South Western Ambulance paramedics who confirmed that he did not require further medical treatment. Nigel Robson, Portland Coastguard Watch Manager said, “Please obey all warning signs and closures when they are in place as the cliff edges are still very unstable in places.”...

Two men have been pulled from the water and airlifted to hospital after capsizing approximately a mile east of Amble Harbour . Humber Coastguard received a 999 call from a member of the public just after 12.30pm this lunchtime who had spotted two kayakers in trouble.   The Amble Coastguard Rescue Team, the Amble RNLI inshore and offshore lifeboats and the search and rescue helicopter from RAF Boulmer were sent to the scene. A fishing boat in the area at the time went to help the kayakers until the lifeboats arrived. They were then pulled to safety on to the lifeboat, and from there were winched on board the helicopter and taken to the Ashington and Wansbeck Hospital. Graham Dawson, Watch Manager at Humber Coastguard, said: "It’s believed these two men were in the water for at least 15 minutes. They were taken to hospital showing signs of hypothermia. "One of them was wearing a track suit and t-shirt and the other had an orange surviv...

The UK Ship Register is one of the best performing flags with a reputation for maintaining the highest international standards. Representatives have this week been in Singapore to promote the UK flag.   From left to right: Tom Borland, Maritime and Coastguard Agency's National Director Business Delivery; Shipping Minister Stephen Hammond MP and Debasis Mazumdar, Head of UK Ship Register.

At just after 5pm Humber Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre sent the RNLI Lifeboat based in Redcar and the Redcar Coastguard Rescue Team to Saltburn Pier after receiving reports from Cleveland Police that a teenager was threatening to jump in to the rough seas. When the teams on scene couldn’t find the teenager further investigations revealed that he was at home. He had posted his intention to jump from the Pier on social media after taking part in a ‘game’ of Neknominate this afternoon. Humber Coastguard Watch Manager Bev Allen said; “The craze of neknominate is spreading virally through Facebook but before accepting your mission please just stop and think about what you are doing. “If you have been drinking, your judgement will be impaired and you will be more likely to be overcome by the cold, dark sea. Your acceptance of the dare is highly likely to be life threatening. “Alcohol is a contributory factor in a significant number of coastal drownings every year. Al...

H.M, Coastguard is warning people in the South West of the dangers of getting too close to the coast during this evening’s wild weather. The weather forecast for the region is predicted to be south or southeast veering southwest, 7 to severe gale 9, increasing storm 10 for a time with very rough seas. Her Majesty’s Coastguard has been dealing with multiple incidents tonight and many people are putting themselves in un-necessary danger. Since 19.00hrs Brixham Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre has dealt with; 19:19 Reports of flooding at Looe. Looe Coastguard Rescue Team went to the scene and helped Devon and Cornwall Police evacuate the town centre. People are asked to stay away from seafront. 19:27 Teignmouth Seafront car park being swamped by waves. Teignmouth Coastguard Rescue team cordon off car park and ask people to stay away as the breaking waves are dangerous. 20:07 The Environment Agency, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service and Devon and Cornwall Police reques...

The public is being reminded about the law when it comes to finding wreck material on our coastline. The warning comes after a number of people have taken equipment from the French fishing boat Le Sillon, which washed up on rocks near Porthcothan over the weekend. Falmouth Coastguard coordinated the rescue of the six crewmen on board on Saturday 1 February after Le Sillon was hit by large waves in the stormy conditions, knocking out the power and steering. Alison Kentuck, Receiver of Wreck with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), said: "All wreck material recovered must be reported, however small or seemingly insignificant. The type of material that must be reported includes any part of the hull, fixtures, fittings, cargo and any fishing equipment. "If you recover an item, you have 28 days to fill out one of our report forms and submit it to us. You can find the forms on our website: https://afrmmcanet.mcga.gov.uk/formspublic/ROW/MSF6200.pdf "Those who ...

A search is continuing this morning for an angler who was reported missing in south Aberdeenshire. Aberdeen Coastguard received a call from a sea angler at around 3am today reporting that another sea angler who was out with him had disappeared from rocks approximately a mile north of St. Cyrus. The Coastguard Rescue Teams from Montrose, Carnoustie, Arbroath and Aberdeen are involved in the search, along with the Montrose RNLI all-weather lifeboat and the rescue helicopter BP Rescue Bond 1. Kevin Brown, Watch Manager at Aberdeen Coastguard, said: “A search is still ongoing this morning to find this missing sea angler. Weather conditions are improving and although the wind in the early hours was gusting force 4 (13-17mph), there was a large sea swell of 2-3 metres. “We’d always recommend that anglers check weather and tides before setting out and make sure they wear suitable clothing and a lifejacket. If you get into difficulty, or spot someone else in trouble, call 999 ...

A search has been carried out tonight for a swimmer last seen in Barry Harbour just before 8.30pm. Swansea Coastguard received a call from a concerned member of the public reporting the man entering the water, wearing flippers and a swimming cap. The Penarth and Barry Coastguard Rescue Teams were involved in the search, along with South Wales Police, the RNLI Barry Dock all-weather lifeboat and the RAF search and rescue helicopter from RMB Chivenor. Steve Matthews, Watch Manager at Swansea Coastguard, said: "We carried out a thorough search of the area tonight, but did not locate this swimmer. As this was in a sheltered area of the harbour, it could be that this man got out of the water safe and well. "Therefore, if anyone has any information about this swimmer, or you yourself went into the water at Old Harbour tonight, please give us a call on 01792 366534. "As conditions are currently treacherous with gale force winds and high tides, we’re urg...

Six people have been rescued from their fishing boat after it was damaged in the rough sea off the north Cornwall coast. Falmouth Coastguard was first contacted about the French fishing boat Le Sillon just before 4pm this afternoon by the French Coastguard. They reported that the boat had been hit by a number of large waves and they had lost power and steering, and were drifting approximately 5 miles off Trevose Head. The wind at the time was gusting up to 60 mph. The RNLI all-weather lifeboat from Padstow, along with the search and rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose was sent to the scene. Five of the crew were picked up by the Royal Navy helicopter and the other crew member was recovered by the lifeboat. There are no reported injuries. Martin Bidmead, Watch Manager at Falmouth Coastguard, said: “Attempts have been made to bring Le Sillon under tow, but conditions have been too difficult. It is still adrift at this time, but we are monitoring the situation. “Along...

14 people have been rescued after the bus they were travelling on was hit by a large wave in Newgale. Milford Haven Coastguard was contacted just after 7pm this evening with reports that the bus was stuck on the seafront, having been hit by the large wave and was surrounded by water. The wind at the time was gusting over 50mph. Broadhaven and St. Davids Coastguard Rescue Teams, HM Coastguard’s Sector Manager for Preseli, along with police, fire and ambulance crews were sent to the scene. The RAF search and rescue helicopter from RMB Chivenor was also asked to assist, but was stood down once the passengers were helped to safety by rescue units on scene. There are no reported injuries. Steve Matthews, Watch Manager at Swansea Coastguard, said: “There are tricky conditions on the sea and along the coast tonight, with gale force winds, high tides and heavy rain. “Our advice is simple, please don’t take risks. But if you do get into difficulty, or spot someone who might be in...