HM Coastguard

The vessel remains at anchor in Scallastle Bay, Sound of Mull where work continues today to remove the fuel oil.   A second underwater hull inspection will take place today. The owners are still in on-going discussions with ship repairers. A temporary exclusion zone of 100 metres remains in place.   The next update will be issued on Monay 2 nd March 2015.

Preparations for towing ‘Lysblink Seaways’ to a repair facility continue. The vessel remains anchored at Scallastle Bay in the Sound of Mull while discussions about moving her are held. Svitzer Salvage has a team on board 24 hours a day as part of the preparations to tow her to a repair facility. The owners are in discussion with ship repairers at a number of locations and as soon as the final destination has been confirmed a passage plan will be agreed. A temporary exclusion zone of 100 metres remains in place. The Scottish Environment Group continues to monitor events and is supporting the work being done. 

The launch of the civilian UK search and rescue (SAR) helicopter service was marked today ( Thursday 26 February 2015) in a ceremony held at the new SAR base at Humberside Airport. Bristow Helicopters Ltd, will operate the Search and Rescue Helicopter service for the UK on behalf of HM Coastguard. The UK limited company was awarded the ten year UK SAR contract by the Department for Transport in March 2013. It will deliver the service from ten bases strategically located close to areas of high SAR incident rates. These bases will go live in a phased approach from 1 April 2015.  The first bases to open will be at Humberside and Inverness. Bristow crews will deliver the UK SAR helicopter service with state-of-the-art helicopters, equipped with the latest search and rescue technology including night vision, mission management and increased onboard medical capabilities. Today’s ceremony was attended by the Rt Hon John Hayes MP, Minister of State at the Department for T...

People living in coastal communities across the UK are being asked to get involved and make a difference by becoming Coastguard Rescue Officers.  Her Majesty's Coastguard is the emergency service responsible for coordinating maritime search and rescue in the UK. One rescue resource that can be called into action at any time, day or night, is a Coastguard Rescue Team.  Minister of State at the Department for Transport John Hayes MP, has launched the new recruitment campaign this morning for volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers at Humber Coastguard. The Minister unveiled the new campaign posters and welcomed three new recruits to the Withernsea and Hornsea Coastguard Rescue Teams. There are 347 teams throughout the UK made up of over 3,500 volunteers but there are always vacancies. Currently there are over 300 vacancies across the UK including 80 in the East of the Country.  Coastguard rescue officers help rescue peopl...

On the 8 th  June 2014 the “Shoreway”, a 98 metre 5000 tonne dredger, owned by  Koninklijke Boskalis Westminster NV,  collided with a Moody 31 sailing yacht “Orca” at the entrance to the River Orwell in Suffolk.  At the helm of the Shoreway at the time was Mr Gerardus Chapel who was employed as Chief Mate.  The Shoreway had just finished dredging in Felixstowe and was going out to sea to dump the spoils.  The Shoreway for an unknown reason left the deep water channel into an area frequented by pleasure vessels.  In the area was the “Orca”, which was owned by Peter and Bernadine Ingram, who lived locally, were out for a day’s sailing in their yacht that they had owned for several years.  Also on board the “Orca” were the Ingram’s two pet collie dogs. The “Shoreway” hit the “Orca” head on and cut a large hole in the vessel’s starboard side.  The “Orca” sank almost immediately.  Mr Ingram and one of his dogs managed to swim to the surf...

The ‘Lysblink Seaways’ is now anchored at Scallastle Bay in the Sound of Mull. She arrived there last night after being towed by the ‘Kingdom of Fife’ tug for the 17 mile journey, supported by the ‘Forth Jouster.’ The Emergency Towing Vessel ‘Herakles’ provided escort and safety cover. ‘Herakles’ was released at 10pm yesterday (25th). ‘Lysblink Seaways’ continues to be stable. However the weather forecast for the coming days is not good which means she will remain where she is until conditions are more favourable. A decision about where she will be taken for repair has yet to be made. In the meantime, the Norwegian tug ‘Luca’ has arrived to take over from the ‘Kingdom of Fife.’ The Scottish Environment Group continues to monitor events and is supporting the work being done. A temporary exclusion zone of 100 metres is now in place.

The Lysblink Seaways is going to be moved this afternoon after a successful ship-to-ship transfer of the fuel oil. Hugh Shaw, the Secretary of State’s Representative for Maritime Salvage & Intervention has authorised the move which is expected to begin around 2pm today (25 th ). As bad weather has been forecast for the coming days, a risk assessment has been carried out and the decision taken to move the vessel into a more sheltered position. The tug Kingdom of Fife will tow the Lysblink Seaways out of Mingary Bay which is 1.5 miles east of Kilchoan Pier to safe anchorage in Scallastle Bay. It will take between four and a half to five hours to complete the 17 mile journey. The Temporary Exclusion Zone of 200 metres will still apply to the vessel while she is being moved.  This decision has the full support of the Scottish Environment Group and Marine Scotland. The Emergency Towing Vessel (ETV) Herakles will remain on standby but will be released once the Lysblink Se...

The ship to ship transfer of the fuel oil from the 'Lysblink Seaways' looks set to begin sometime tomorrow morning. Better weather conditions mean there is a window to do this work between 3am and midday tomorrow (25 th ). In total 153 tons of fuel will be pumped from the 'Lysblink Seaways' onto the tug 'Kingdom of Fife.' Hugh Shaw, the Secretary of State’s Representative for Maritime Salvage & Intervention said,  ‘The wind is expected to moderate which means there is an opportunity to carry out this work. ‘The emergency pumping operation will only begin when we are satisfied it is safe to do so and we will be monitoring it continuously.’ The Scottish Environment Group continue to monitor the operation and has a representative on scene. The Temporary Exclusion Zone of 200 metres remains in place. 

Humber Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre have coordinated the recovery of two persons from the sea at Scarborough after they were washed in to the sea by waves. At 18.00 today the Coastguard received a 999 call from a member of the public reporting that one person had been knocked from the wall in to the sea at South Shore in Scarborough. The other was clinging to the shore. The weather conditions were poor with rough seas, gale force winds and a very high tide. The Scarborough Coastguard Rescue Team, the RNLI lifeboats based at Scarborough and RAF rescue helicopter based at Leconfield were sent to the scene. One person managed to scramble to safety and the other was pulled from the water by the inshore lifeboat. This person is now receiving medical attention. Mike Puplett from Humber Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre said: “We have very high tides at the moment and when you combine this with gale force winds you get very powerful waves. Whilst this can look spectac...

The ‘Lysblink Seaways’ ran aground on 18 February at Kilchoan, Ardnamurchan Peninsula, in the western entrance to the Sound of Mull. Early this morning the increased wind caused the vessel to drag her anchor. A tow line was placed on board and, as per. the contingency plan, the ‘Lysblink Seaways’ was towed back out to sea. This vessel is stable and at anchor 1.5 miles east of Kilchoan in Mingary Bay with her 9 crew on board. No oil sheen has been reported today and salvage work has been progressing well. Salvors are making final preparatory for the transfer of fuel oil from the damaged tank to other internal tanks on board the vessel. This fuel will be removed from the ‘Lysblink Seaways’ when the weather improves. This work will need to be completed before the vessel can be towed away from the area for repair. The high winds in the Sound of Mull are forecast to continue until Tuesday. The vessels ‘Forth Jouster’ and ‘Kingdom of Fife’ are on scene to assist with the salvage operat...

At 09.32 today a member of the public called the Coastguard to say that they had seen a man stumble and fall in to the sea from the quayside at Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk. Humber Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre sent the RNLI lifeboat based at Wells-next-the-Sea to the scene. The lifeboat was already out on the water training so they were swiftly able to find the man and pulled him from the water. The Wells-next-the-Sea Coastguard Rescue Team, Norfolk Police and paramedics from the East of England Ambulance Service were all at the scene. Mike Puplett from Humber Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre said: “Unfortunately this man was unresponsive when he was pulled from the water. This tragic incident serves as a timely reminder that quay sides, harbours and pontoons are working areas where ropes, fishing baskets and other equipment can get under your feet as you walk along so please take care when passing through these working areas.”

A tug boat owner was today was given an 8 month custodial sentence after his crew member died trying to reattach a tow line in a violent storm. During today’s hearing at Southampton Crown Court, Martin Richley owner and skipper of 9.5m Medway Tug Boat ‘Endurance’ pleaded guilty to serious offences under the Merchant Shipping Act. The case related to events on 3 and 4 February 2013. On 3 February 2013 the ‘Endurance began to tow  a 60ft  motor cruiser  ‘Sirus M’ from the River Medway  to Brighton on the south coast of England. On board the ‘Endurance’ was Mr Richley acting as skipper along with Mr Steven Trice acting as the crew.  As the ‘Endurance’ left the Medway Mr Richley was warned by Medway Vessel Traffic Monitoring Station (VTS) that strong winds up to gale force 8 had been forecast.  Despite being given this gale warning Mr Richley decided to continue on his journey to Brighton.  Mr Richley was also not qualified to carry out this passa...

The dive inspection on behalf of the salvors is expected to be completed this afternoon which will confirm the status of the ballast water and fuel oil tanks. There is a slight sheen from the stern and contractors are currently deploying a sorbent boom to capture any subsequent releases. Additional salvage equipment is expected to be on scene by noon tomorrow. Although the refloat was unscheduled, the Lysblink Seaways is in a much better situation. Weather permitting, the salvors will now be able to concentrate on removing the fuel oil from the damaged bunker tanks. In addition, today and over the coming days, other work will be started including welding operations to stop the leakage and preparations to tow the vessel to safe haven/ repair facility. There are no plans to move the Lysblink Seaways from this position until it is deemed safe and environmentally sound to do so. A new temporary exclusion zone for all vessels of 200 metres has been established around the Lysbli...

The fish carrier Viktoria Lady went aground on a rock in Badcall Bay (about 20 miles north west from Ullapool) at about 10.50 this morning. The SAR helicopter from Stornoway and Lochinver lifeboat were tasked along with Lochinver Coastguard Rescue Team. There are seven people on board the vessel and the Lochinver lifeboat is standing by. She has refloated and proceeded to anchor under her own power. There is a water ingress into between the outer and inner hull but pumps are holding. There is no report of any pollution. She is 1186 gross tonnage and is 53m long and flies under the Norwegian flag. The SAR helicopter from Stornoway has left the scene now the lifeboat has arrived. Lochinver lifeboat and the CRT remain on scene monitoring the vessel and checking for any pollution, none has been reported. An underwater inspection of the hull will be carried out by divers. Video taken by the Stornoway Coastguard Helicopter  http://youtu.be/FZ9...

Photo 1 HULL, PROPELLER AND STEERING. When it’s cold outside the boating season can seem a long time coming, but this is the perfect time to start getting everything ready for the summer months.  The last thing you want to do is carry out all the checks at the last minute and miss something that’s really important. As a Marine Surveyor I inspect and check everything that carries passengers and freight on the water from small boats that do harbour trips right up to the biggest ocean going liners and cargo ships.  I want to share with you some of my experience and how you can check to make sure that your boat is safe for you, your family and your friends. If you’ve taken you’re boat out of the water, now’s a good time to check the hull for any cracks or damage.  If you have a keel, make sure that any bolts are secure and that it is correctly sealed. Have a good look at the deck join and make sure there are no gaps and look at the hull anodes bolts to see if...

The dive inspection on behalf of the salvors will continue today on the Lysblink Seaways which is now anchored close to the location of the grounding. Lysblink Seaways self-floated just before 9 last night (19 th ) from the foreshore at Kilchoan. The vessel is stable although still leaking a small amount of oil. Plans are in place to continue to use an absorbent boom to collect any dispersing oil. Hugh Shaw, the Secretary of State’s representative (SOSREP), said: ‘Anything that can be captured and removed to minimise damage to the environment, we will do.’ There is a lot of salvage work still to be done and as a matter of urgency the dive inspection needs to be completed so that the full condition of the vessel is known. Equipment is still being brought to the site for the salvors but it is not easy to get to making travel time longer. The weather is favourable for the work of the diving team today and it is hoped they will be able to complete the inspection.

Shortly before 9pm on Thursday 19 February the grounded vessel Lysblink Seaways self-floated from the foreshore at Kilchoan.  The vessel is now anchored close to the location of the grounding.  The salvage team and two salvage vessels remain on scene and the crew remain on board. Further assessments of the vessel will be made at first light on Friday morning. The Secretary of State’s Representative for Salvage and Intervention, (SOSREP) is working closely with all the organisations involved and is monitoring the situation.

There has been a further release of diesel oil from the ‘Lysblink Seaway,’ which remains aground at Kilchoan. Following discussions between the Secretary of State’s representative (SOSREP) Hugh Shaw and Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s Counter-Pollution, an absorbent boom has been put in to cope with the oil leak from the starboard side of the vessel. Weather conditions have moderated slightly this morning making it easier to use equipment. Briggs Marine vessels ‘Forth Jouster’ and ‘Kingdom of Fife’ are on scene and are supporting the salvage operation. A team from Svitzer Salvage is currently on board the vessel conducting a detailed damage assessment. Initial findings and salvage options will be reported to the SOSREP and the wider Salvage Control Unit, later this afternoon.  A temporary exclusion zone of 100 metres has been established around the vessel.

The Highland Council and the Maritime Coastguard Agency are sending counter-pollution equipment to the scene following a small leak from the general cargo vessel Lysblink Seaways. This leak is from the starboard side of the vessel, is estimated to be an egg cup in volume as it has created a light sheen of about 2m by 2m. There is currently a low risk of pollution. The tug small Forth Jouster is still loading diving equipment and will take about two hours to get from Mallaig to the site. Another larger tug Kingdom of Fife is expected to arrive just before midnight tonight. Both tugs are operated by Briggs. The emergency towing vessel (ETV) is still heading west, within her normal operating area. Two salvage companies Svitzer and Smit are involved with a team of two – Salvage Master and Naval Architect. Salvors will make an early assessment this evening. 

Stornoway Coastguard was contacted this morning by the general cargo vessel LYSBLINK SEAWAYS reporting that they had gone aground north of the Isle of Mull, near Kilchoan, at approximately 1.50am. She has 9 people on board and the Tobermory RNLI lifeboat has been standing by the vessel on scene overnight. Currently the crew remain on board and will await tugs arriving on scene.  The Maritime and Coastguard Agency have tasked the Emergency Towing Vessel Heracles to proceed to the area. The vessel’s owners have appointed a salvage company and a commercial tug. There is no report of pollution. The vessel was bound from Belfast to Skogn in Norway when she ran aground.

A man has been rescued today after falling over a cliff at   Hengistbury Head in Dorset. The National Maritime Coordination Centre received a 999 call from a member of the public just before 11.40am to report the person falling over the cliff. Southbourne Coastguard Rescue Team, a Coastguard Rescue helicopter, the RNLI lifeboat based at Mudeford, and Dorset Police were sent immediately to the scene. The casualty was discovered breathing and conscious by the lifeboat crew at the base of cliff. He was airlifted from there to   Southampton General hospital where the Southampton coastguard rescue team manned the helipad. HM Coastguard Peter Davies said; "If you are going to the coast this half-term please take care along cliffs and coastal footpaths. "The gradient at which cliffs fall away from the paths can be deceptive and following wet weather some cliff edges may be slippery or unstable. "If you do spot someone in difficulty along the coast call 999 and...

Milford Haven 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 to upgrade the technology and introduce new systems. This means Milford Haven 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 6 th March 2015, Milford Haven CGOC and the new national network will start to take on operations from Swansea 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. Carl Evans, Maritime Operations Controller at Milford Haven CGOC, said: ...

Holyhead Coastguard Operations Centre coordinated the rescue of 4 fishermen last night after their vessel started taking on water at the start of its fishing trip. At 22.22 yesterday the fishing vessel ‘Cesca’ reported that it was on route from Milford to Conwy and was taking on water. The crew were using pumps to try and keep the level on water down but they weren’t able to keep up with the flow. As the situation was getting worse they called the Coastguard for assistance. The RAF search and rescue helicopter based at RAF Valley was sent to the scene. Whilst trying to drop more pumps on the fishing vessel the ‘Cesca’s’ engines stopped and the Captain made the decision to abandon ship. The crew were winched by the helicopter and taken to safety.   HM Coastguard Robert Bowyer said: “It’s often a difficult judgement call for any Captain to call for assistance and even more difficult to leave his vessel, which is his livelihood. By calling for assistance when he did the Captai...

Humber Coastguard coordinated the search for a small blue and white motor boat off Cromer overnight after receiving a mayday distress call. The vessel, Norfolk Girl, called Humber Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre at 00:10 today. The caller told the Coastguard that they had broken down 13.5 miles northeast of Cromer whilst on their way to Scunthorpe . The caller also told the Coastguard that the vessel called Norfolk Girl had two people on board, was 6 metres long and was blue and white in colour. All communications were then lost.  The last reported area of the Norfolk Girl was searched by the RAF Rescue Helicopter based at Wattisham and the RNLI Lifeboat based at Cromer. Vessels in the area were also asked for their assistance and two other vessels joined the search. Unfortunately nothing was found and at 04:45 the lifeboat and helicopter were returned to their bases. Vessels in the area are still being asked to keep an active look out. Humber Coastguard are now ap...

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) announced today that thirteen foreign flagged ships were under detention in UK ports during January 2015 after failing Port State Control ( PSC ) inspection. During January, there were nine new detentions of foreign flagged vessels in a UK port. Four vessels remained under detention from previous months and six vessels were released during January.   A total of seven vessels remain under detention at the end of January. 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 t...