HM Coastguard

A yacht has grounded on a groyne near Happisburgh in Norfolk.   It’s understood that there was one person onboard who has now been accounted for safe and well, following an extensive search. The call came in to the UK Coastguard at around 7.15 this morning and Happisburgh & Mundesley Coastguard Rescue Teams were  sent along with the Happisburgh RNLI lifeboat. Both Coastguard rescue teams are still on scene. There is no evidence of any pollution at present and the counter-pollution team at the Maritime & Coastguard Agency has been informed.   As the tide is currently coming in and the yacht has been holed by the incident, it’s thought it may be there for some time.

The owners and the master of a cruise ship involved a in serious accident which cost a crew member her leg have been handed out fines totalling £8,000 today Jacobite Cruises Limited admitted charges brought under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 after Aurelia Thabert lost her leg in the incident in June 2012. The master Andrew Paul Lach (47) pleaded guilty to a charge brought under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995. On 20 th June 2012, the Loch Ness cruise ship Jacobite Queen was returning to her berth at Tomnahurich Bridge, Inverness when the incident happened in Dochgarroch Locks. Aurelia Thabert, then aged 25, was working as a crew member onboard the Jacobite Queen. She was attempting to release a rope from the side of the lock when her right foot became entangled in a bight of the rope. The ship moved forward tightening the rope around her leg. Ms Thabert was treated at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness where because of the damage caused to her leg, an amputation had to...

The UK Coastguard was able to locate and send rescue resources to a fishing vessel, which was on fire with seven people on board, within just a few minutes this evening, thanks to a DSC alert. The vessel, which was about 13 miles south-east of the Isle of Man, broadcast a DSC distress alert, which allowed the UK Coastguard to locate the vessel within moments and send the Douglas RNLI Lifeboat and a Coastguard helicopter to assist. Other merchant vessels also in the area responded and offered to help. A mayday message was also broadcast following the DSC distress alert.   The crew of the fishing vessel were able to get the fire under control and the vessel is now making its way back into Douglas Harbour under escort by the Douglas Lifeboat.   Dawn Petrie, for the UK Coastguard said:   “Thanks to the swift and correct use of the DSC radio on board the vessel we were able to get rescue resources to the crew very quickly whilst they worked to tackle th...

A group of three kayakers called the UK Coastguard after they got into difficulty in rough seas about ½ a mile off Flamborough Head, off the Yorkshire coast just after 1pm today. Bridlington and Filey Coastguard Rescue Teams, the UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter, Bridlington and Filey all weather lifeboats and Flamborough inshore lifeboat were all sent to the scene. A Mayday relay broadcast was sent out and three vessels nearby also joined the search. Two kayakers were rescued shortly after lifeboats arrived on scene and a third kayaker was pulled from the water suffering from hypothermia a short time later. All three are being treated by paramedics from the Yorkshire Ambulance Service but we believe they're doing well and there are no serious injuries at this time.

A search is ongoing in Lancaster City centre and the River Lune area after a 15 year old female was reported missing at midday on Wednesday (19 October).  Coastguard teams from Knott End, Morecambe and Arnside are working alongside Police, Fire, RNLI and Bay Search and Rescue (Bay SAR) to find her. Coastguard teams are concentrating the search around the river banks and marsh area, with support from the Lancashire Fire Service Aerial support unit, while RNLI and Bay SAR conduct a river search.  Chris Turner, Coastguard Commander requests that anyone with further information should contact Lancashire Constabulary on 101 and quote log number 558. 

The UK Coastguard helicopter based at Caernarfon  has marked a significant milestone undertaking its 500th search and rescue mission earlier today (Tuesday 18 October). The 500th mission, since it went live on  1 July 2015, was the rescue  of a fallen walker at Tryfan in Snowdonia,  Wales supported by the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Team. Captain Andy Pilliner, who flew the 500 th  mission today said: ‘This milestone is a testament to the standing of the entire UK Coastguard search and rescue (SAR) network.  Though we never wish the need for our services to arise, we take great pride in helping being part of the network, helping people rest easy knowing that we’re on standby at the ready to assist as necessary.’ Co-Pilot Captain Kate Simmonds added: “It’s quite appropriate that we marked our 500 th  tasking on Tryfan as it’s what we call a hot-spot – somewhere we are regularly tasked to. Our location near mountains, sea and oil rigs means our t...

UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Stornoway The UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Stornoway has rescued an unwell crewman from a vessel which was a massive 180 miles offshore. The long range mission, launched after the Spanish Coast Guard asked for help to bring the crewman to shore, needed the extra communications and safety support of a Hercules C-130 aircraft from RAF Brize Norton due to the distance involved.  Just after 8.30pm on Saturday 8 October, UK Coastguard were notified that the vessel was about 230 miles North West of the Isle of Lewis and was beyond the range that the helicopter could reach safely.  The weather c onditions were also not ideal for winching.   RAF Hercules C-130 Crown Copyright UK Coastguard said the vessel needed to make its way closer to Isle of Lewis and also asked for the extra support from the RAF. Once the ship was within a safe range, the UK Coastguard helicopter was sent to scene...

A Coastguard Rescue Officer who has spent more than three decades volunteering on the Shetland Islands has been given an award to mark his commitment.   Sue Todd,  presenting Ronnie Leslie with his award  Ronnie Leslie has been with HM Coastguard for more than 35 years. He was given his award by Coastal Operations Divisional Commander Sue Todd at a presentation attended by family, friends and colleagues. Dave Sweeney,  Senior Coastal Operations Officer said: ‘This is very important as it recognises Ronnie’s commitment to HM Coastguard over 35 years, his commitment to the community and the wider Shetland community.’ Ronnie said he had enjoyed his time with the Coastguard: ‘It’s been an eventful time in the Coastguard. I’m glad to see the younger people coming through now and I really recommend it to the younger generation.’ Sue Todd paid tribute to the volunteering efforts of people like Ronnie as she gave him his award: She said: ‘The volunteer...

The Maritime & Coastguard Agency is pleased to report that at 8.05pm this evening (Friday 14 October) the semi-submersible heavy lift ship Hawk lifted her anchor and began its journey transporting the rig Transocean Winner from Broad Bay, Isle of Lewis to Malta. Paperwork and permissions were finalised earlier this afternoon to allow the transportation to commence. Hugh Shaw, SOSREP said:  ‘At 5pm today I advised the Master of the HAWK that he had my permission to weigh anchor and proceed on the voyage in accordance with the agreed passage plan.’ ‘The UK Coastguard will continue to monitor its passage until it leaves the UK Search and Rescue Region. Weather permitting, the voyage to Malta will take approximately two weeks.’

Sea fastening work to make the Transocean Winner rig ready for its journey on the back of the Hawk heavy lift vessel has been completed and signed off.  The Hawk remains in Broad Bay while final approvals are obtained for her to take the rig to Malta and then onto Turkey. These approvals have to be from all parties involved under EU directives. Once those are in place, Hugh Shaw, SOSREP will give his consent for the passage to begin. However, future weather and sea conditions will continue to be reviewed and the Master of the Hawk will be allowed to delay departure if he feels they aren’t favourable for the journey to be made.

An officer trainee described as ‘the most outstanding ever to teach and train’ by his nominating college has been awarded the Maritime & Coastguard Agency’s Officer Trainee of the Year award. Robert Bellis, 22, from the Wirral, who studied at the Liverpool John Moores University and trained with Ship Safe Training Group Ltd has been praised for his exceptional academic work and for his contribution to the teaching programme there. The award was presented at Trinity House in London by Shipping Minister, the Rt Hon John Hayes as part of the Marine Society and Sea Cadets Annual Court (MSSC). Robert’s college Liverpool John Moores University and his sponsoring companies Ship Safe Training Group Ltd and The Conway Merchant Navy Trust were all invited to attend. 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 owner and skipper of a fishing vessel that ran aground off the Shetland Islands causing the death of a crew member has been sentenced to six months in prison. Diamond LK6 – fitted out as a clam dredger – ran aground on 14 th  March 2014 with both skipper Christopher Smith and crewman Leonard Scollay ending up in the water. Christopher Smith had pleaded guilty to a contravention of Section 58(2)(b) of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 at Lerwick Sheriff Court on 13 th  September. Yesterday (12 th  October) he was back at the court to receive his sentence. The court had heard how on 25 th  March 2014 the fishing vessel Diamond sank after striking a rock in West Burra Firth in the Shetland Islands. It had set off from Scalloway at around  5.30pm  bound for fishing grounds 20 miles to the West. At first the vessel was sheltered from the full force of the weather, but as she moved north, she became exposed to wind and sea. The decisio...

Two fishermen have been rescued from the shoreline by the UK Coastguard Search and Rescue Helicopter based in Stornoway after their 20ft fishing vessel sank close to the shore west of Carloway, on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland. Shortly after 3pm today (Wednesday 12 October) the UK Coastguard received a faint and broken Mayday call on Channel 16 requesting immediate assistance. The two crew managed to give their location before abandoning their boat to a liferaft. The UK Coastguard Search and Rescue Helicopter, along with the Stornoway, Ness and Breasclete Coastguard Rescue Teams were immediately sent to the scene.  The two crew members were winched from the shoreline into the helicopter and taken to Stornoway airfield where they were met by an ambulance for medical attention. UK Coastguard Duty Controller Angus MacIver said: ‘It would appear that the fishermen’s vessel sank very quickly, and we were very lucky that they managed to give us their exact position before they ...

The skipper of a barge has been fined £500 and more than £2,000 in costs, after pleading guilty to dumping rubbish at sea. On the morning of 26 May this year, the barge Beta was enroute from Exmouth to Plymouth. In charge of the vessel was Mark Tamburrano, a 33-year-old restaurateur from Plymouth. The intention was to move the barge to Plymouth for conversion into a floating fish restaurant. As the vessel passed close to Torquay Bay, witnesses from the Food Standards Agency and local Environment Health department, who were visiting shell beds nearby, saw rubbish being thrown from the barge. This included a number of bin bags with plastic in them, along with gas canisters and a chemical toilet. The witnesses approached the barge and the dumping stopped. Mr Tamburrano appeared before Torquay magistrates court today (10 th October) where he pleaded guilty. He was fined £500, plus £50 surcharge and full costs of £2291.31. In summing up, the magistrate said there had been no obvious...

The Transocean Winner rig has been safely loaded onto the semi-submersible heavy lift ship HAWK. T he Hawk has deballasted and the rig is now clear of the water. The MCA verification aircraft was on scene yesterday and no pollution was sighted or reported. However late yesterday some leakage was spotted in the water – this is believed to have been a maximum of 50 litres of hydraulic or gear oil. It’s thought to have come from a damaged part of the rig and appropriate counter-pollution measures were taken.  A further check flight by the MCA aircraft today over the Hawk and the wider area across Broad Bay has found no further oil. Vessels with counter pollution equipment will remain on scene until there is no longer any threat of a release from the damaged sponsons.  Preparations are being made today to commence the sea fastening operations, Assessment of the damage has begun today and other work is starting to prepare the Hawk for her passage to Malta. This cou...

The Maritime & Coastguard Agency has carried out an investigation lasting more than two years into the circumstances surrounding the loss of the Cheeki Rafiki in May 2014. Following that extensive investigation a decision has been made by the Crown Prosecution Service to bring charges against Douglas Innes and Stormforce Coaching Limited. Ian Harris, from the Crown Prosecution Service Wessex, said: ‘We have authorised the charging of Douglas Innes with four counts of gross negligence manslaughter and Douglas Innes and Stormforce Coaching Limited with one charge contrary to section 100 Merchant Shipping Act 1995. These charges relate to the deaths of Andrew Bridge, James Male, Stephen Warren and Paul Goslin in the North Atlantic in May 2014, following the loss of the keel on their yacht, the Cheeki Rafiki.  The decision to charge was taken in accordance with the Code of Crown Prosecutors.' Douglas Innes and a representative of Stormforce Coaching Limited will appear at So...

The UK Coastguard coordinated a search overnight for an overdue vessel in Loch Erisort, Isle of Lewis. The Stornoway RNLI Lifeboat, South Lochs, Stornoway, Tarbet and Breascleate Coastguard Rescue Teams, the Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Stornoway and Police Scotland conducted a land, air and sea search for a man who was reported missing at approximately 10.45 pm on Thursday 7 October. Following an extensive search, the man was found 3 hours later safe and well and has been taken to the Western Isles Hospital. A Coastguard spokesperson said: ‘After an extensive search, we are pleased to report that the man has been found safe and well. It appears that he had engine difficulties but managed to get himself to shore. This is a happy ending, but it could have ended very differently. ‘Whenever you go to sea, make sure you take appropriate communications, navigation and safety equipment with you. We recommend where possible, all vessels are fitted wit...

We all have dreams and ambitions. Niall’s was to walk to the top of Pen-Y-Fan in the Brecon Beacons in Wales.   It would have been an achievement at any price, but this was even more remarkable given that just a few weeks earlier he suffered a terrible, life-changing accident on a cliff face in the same location. Back in early May, Niall had been paragliding in the Brecon Beacons when something went horribly wrong and he crashed into the cliff face, feet first at about 40mph.  Picture supplied, courtesy of Niall The Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopter from St Athan was sent and quickly arrived. That day the crew was Captain Nick Pollard, co-pilot Paul Farmer, Winch operator Keith Fentiman and Winchman Graham Hatch. Niall was seriously injured and complaining of severe lower back pain. His injuries and his precarious position on the mountain side meant that the Brecon Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) was also sent as part of the rescue.   An MRT doctor and team...

Approval has been given by the Secretary of State’s Representative Maritime and Salvage Intervention for Transocean to start preparing for a further attempt to load the rig onto the semi-submersible heavy lift vessel HAWK. The weather over the next few days looks favourable and Hugh Shaw, SOSREP says it’s an excellent opportunity to recommence the operation. Work to disconnect the anchors will commence this morning and by first light tomorrow, the rig should be in position to move towards the HAWK. If this current operation is unsuccessful, another heavy lift vessel will have to be brought in, as the Hawk is due to come off contract on Monday (10 th  October). A second HLV has been identified but the work to move the rig would have to be suspended pending its arrival at the Isle of Lewis in mid-late October. Hugh Shaw said: ‘Potential weather windows for the operation are beginning to reduce very rapidly now. Although we are considering alternative loading...

Sea conditions on Friday were above the agreed safe limits and therefore prevented the operation to load the Transocean Winner onto the Hawk in Broad Bay, Isle of Lewis. The Hawk remained on scene on Saturday but the latest weather forecasts are for the deterioration in wind and sea conditions from Sunday onwards and the Transocean Winner will be put back onto her eight anchors temporarily. Hugh Shaw, Secretary of State’s Representative Maritime Salvage and Intervention with Transocean and Smit Salvage continue  to look at options, including alternative locations offering shelter from prevailing conditions, dependant on appropriate weather and sea conditions for a safe operation.