HM Coastguard

After many years of being run from RAF Kinloss, the way that emergencies involving and needing aircraft are handled is changing this Spring. The Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC), which is part of HM Coastguard, is building on the work done by the RAF since 1941 at its new centre in Fareham, Hampshire, as it takes over operations. Mark Chamberlain is one of those working the new ARCC. Here's his view of his new role:  Mark Chamberlain Can you teach an old dog new tricks? I’ll give you my answer in part at the end of the blog, but I suspect that the full answer may have to wait a little longer… So who am I? I’m Mark Chamberlain and I’m one of the lucky few to have been selected as one of HM Coastguards’ new SAOOs, that is Senior Aeronautical Operations Officer, working in the ARCC. I come to the Coastguard after a 24 year career in the Royal Navy where amongst other roles I was a helicopter controller, and then a 14 year career in IT ending in managing suppo...

The UK Coastguard has responded to an incident at Spit Bank Fort  in the Solent this evening after reports of a fire. It was reported to the Coastguard just before 5.30pm today (14 th March) and lifeboats from Gosport, Portsmouth and Bembridge were sent to the fort in case the people there needed to be evacuated.  The Coastguard Rescue Team from Portsmouth was also involved.    However, within 15 minutes of the first report, managers on the fort, which is used as a hotel, told the emergency services that the fire was understood to be under control and by 6pm it was out. Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service are assisting in the transportation of Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service crews to the fort so they can assess the site. 

It’s all about the waves Hydrography is a branch of applied science, which involves measuring the depth of water and identifying hazards that lie on the seabed.   Knowing the locations of things such as wrecks and rocks helps boats and people move safely at sea. Normally you can’t see the seabed, so the way in which we measure the water depth is by using sound. We use a system called echo sounding. This works in a similar way to when you stand in a cave and shout out your name and hear your echo come back. The echo sounder is fitted on the bottom of the boat and ‘shouts’ at ultrasonic frequencies, and then listens for the response. The sound of the sea In simple terms it’s “speed = distance/time”.  The speed of sound in water is known (or can easily be calculated), and so by measuring the time it takes for the sound to return gives you the distance it has travelled to the seabed and back. In reality it’s a bit more complicated than this as the speed of sound can...

Last night (10 March 2016), during a routine training exercise, the UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Lydd dropped in for a surprise visit to the Sport Relief Hell on High Seas yacht, just off the Kent Coast. The Yacht Master gave permission over the radio for winchman, Garry Stewart to be lowered on board, where he was welcomed with a round of applause by BBC TV Presenter Alex Jones and a crew of celebrities in the midst of their 1,000 nautical mile voyage in aid of Sport Relief. The five man helicopter crew were completing a routine night deck training exercise which involves winching the winchman onto decks of vessels at night.  During the course of the evening, the winchman’s skills were tested on two vessels – the first was a fishing boat and the second was the Sport Relief yacht – which brings additional challenges because the masts are especially high. Winchman Garry Stewart said:  ‘The crew on board the yacht were very enthus...

  Two people have been rescued from the water this afternoon(Thursday10 March 2016) after being cut off by the tide at Black Rock, Crackington Haven, Cornwall.    The UK Coastguard was contacted just after 3.30pm this afternoon by member of the public who said that they were one of four people who had been cut off by the tide.  Two of the group managed to swim ashore and raise the alarm that two people were still stuck on the rocks.   The Bude Coastguard Rescue Team and the Bude RNLI Lifeboat were sent to the scene along with the UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Newquay.   One person was washed off the rocks by the waves and the other was clinging onto the rocks. One lifeboat crew member, who had managed to get onto the rocks to support the casualties, entered the water to secure the casualty until winched into the helicopter and then returned to the Bude Lifeboat. Once both casualties were on board the helicopter they ...

The dog stuck on a ledge Being rescued by Coleraine Coastguard When it comes to Mother’s Day  as any day , Coastguards know  family  get  togethers   have to  go on hold   when they’re needed to help others.  For the Coleraine Coastguard Rescue Team, that happened when a small dog, a year   old Schnauzer, went over the cliffs at Portrush, Northern Ireland.  The team were called to use their specialist rope rescue skills to  work with  the Fire and Rescue Service wh ich  had responded to a call when the dog got trapped on a ledge.  After setting up their equipment and lowering a team member down to the frightened animal, the Coastguard returned the dog to its grateful owners. When you’re walking along cliff edges it’s important to keep your dog on its lead, to save both it and yourself from the fear  felt  if it goes over the edge.  If it does go over, be sure to call 999 and ask for the...

A marine surveyor with a strong background in maritime safety and standards is to take up the role of Director of Maritime Safety and Standards at the Maritime & Coastguard Agency. Katy Ware has been with the MCA for 16 years. Katy joined the Maritime & Coastguard Agency as a flag State surveyor and Port State Control Officer. After a two year secondment to the Department for Transport, Katy was promoted to Principal for Marine Technology for the MCA. In 2011 Katy Ware was appointed as the UK’s Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), where she has worked to negotiate and promote UK policy on international shipping matters at the IMO and within the EU. Now elevated to the Senior Civil Service, Katy will retain the role of Permanent Representative to the IMO, focussing on Council and the two main IMO Committees that deal with Safety and Environmental issues. Other aspects of EU and International work will be undertaken by the MCA In...

UK Coastguard received a mayday broadcast just before 1pm yesterday (2 nd  March) from a fishing vessel that caught fire with five crew on board, approximately 37 nautical miles off Newlyn, Cornwall. The fire, believed to have be in the engine room, was extinguished by the crew, but several members were reported to be suffering from smoke inhalation. The Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Newquay and the Lizard RNLI lifeboat was sent to the fishing vessel. Three of the crew were winched off the fishing vessel onto the helicopter and transferred to hospital. The fishing vessel, with the remaining crew, was able to make its own way to Newlyn, the Lizard RNLI lifeboat escorted the fishing vessel to ensure it arrived safely. Steve Mann , UK Coastguard , said: "Fortunately the crew were able to extinguish the fire, they were also able to contact the Coastguard when they needed assistance. This is another example why it is so important to make sure...