Posts

Showing posts from March, 2012

HM COASTGUARD REMINDS DIVERS TO STOP

After two divers suffered decompression sickness this afternoon following rapid ascents, HM Coastguard would like to remind all divers of the importance of regular stops as they come to the surface. In the first incident Milford Haven Coastguard received a 999 call from Swansea Divers reporting that one of their divers was suffering decompression sickness on Dale Slipway Pembrokeshire. The Duty Diving Medical Officer gave advice and Dale Coastguard Rescue Team provided initial first aid. The diver was taken to the hyperbaric chamber in Plymouth by the RAF Rescue helicopter based at Chivenor. In the second incident at just after 1.15pm Plymouth diver called MRCC Brixham to tell them that one of their divers was possibly suffering from a decompression problem after missing stops while diving at St Johns Lake, Plymouth. Following medical advice the diver was taken by ambulance to the hyperbaric chamber.   H.M Coastguard advises that dives requiring decompression stops should be plann

RUSSIAN MASTER PROSECUTED FOR GROUNDING ON NORTH UIST AND FAILING A BREATH TEST

On 22 March 2012 the master of the   Dutch cargo ship ‘Flinterspirit' was arrested and charged with breach of the Railways and Transport Security Act 2003.   The master had grounded his vessel on Flodday Mor on the 19 March 2012 and failed a routine breath test two days later. The ‘Flinterspirit’ was on a voyage from Pori , Finland to Belfast when the vessel grounded on Flodday Mor, North Uist at 10:50pm GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) on the 19 March 2012 . The vessel’s time was one hour ahead of GMT and the second mate was due to take over the watch from the master. The second mate felt a judder and rushed up to the bridge; there was no one there. The second mate called the chief mate to the bridge and together they sounded the general alarm. When the master still did not appear the second mate went down to his cabin where he found him in bed. The chief and second mate contacted the coastguard and carried out an inspection of the ship’s ballast tanks. They discovered that the fo

MOTHER AND DAUGHTER RESCUED FROM CLIFFS AFTER BEING CUT OFF BY TIDE

A mother and her 26-year-old daughter were rescued from cliffs near Westward Ho! this evening after they became cut off by the tide during a walk. The two had been walking from Westward Ho! towards Abbotsham and had turned back to walk along the beach when they realised that the tide had come in and cut them off. They climbed as far up the cliff as was safe, called 999 and spoke to Swansea Coastguard. The Coastguard sent the Westward Ho! Coastguard Rescue Team to the scene. The Appledore RNLI lifeboat, which was already out along the coast also offered its assistance. By chance the RAF rescue helicopter from Chivenor was also out on exercise and so it went to the scene. The lifeboat soon spotted the two women on the cliff and was able to guide the helicopter towards them. The two women were then airlifted to the top of the cliff. Bev Haigh, Swansea Coastguard Watch Manager says: “We always advise people to check tide times before setting out along the coast – this information is readil

FIFTEEN FOREIGN FLAGGED SHIPS DETAINED IN THE UK DURING FEBRUARY 2012

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) announced today that 15 foreign flagged ships were under detention in UK ports during February 2012 after failing Port State Control (PSC) inspection. Latest monthly figures show that there were nine new detentions of foreign flagged ships in UK ports during February 2012 and six vessels remained under detention from previous months. The overall rate of detentions compared with inspections carried out over the last twelve months was 2.32% this is slightly down from January’s twelve month rate. Out of the detained vessels seven were registered with a flag state listed on the Paris MOU white list, two were registered with a flag state on the grey list four were registered with a flag state on the black list and two were unregistered. -Ends- Notes to Editors 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 C

SEARCH FOR MAN WHO HAD LOST HIS WAY

Swansea Coastguard received a call at 7:45pm from a man on his mobile phone, he had found himself lost and in need of help. He was able to offer limited information with respect to helping to identify his location except for open water and marshlands. Coastguard Rescue Officers from Burnham on Sea were sent to carryout a search and the RNLI Weston-Super-Mare inshore lifeboat was requested to launch. David Jones, Watch Manager, Swansea Coastguard, says: “With the light fading fast we kept the man talking on the line for 25 minutes, we were able to question him on his location and his surroundings.   The Coastguard Rescue Officers were able to locate him at approximately 8:05 pm ; they were looking down on him from the cliff edge at Brean Down, so they let of a white flare which illuminated the area allowing the lifeboat to locate him by the water.   A member of the lifeboat crew disembarked and walked the man up the cliff to the Coastguard Rescue Officers who were able to ensure th

MAN BURIED IN SAND IS RESCUED

Humber Coastguard received a call from ambulance control at just after 4.00 pm today to request assistance for the man who was at Druridge Bay near Cresswell. The Newbiggin, Amble and Howick Coastguard Rescue Teams went to the scene and joined police, fire and ambulance personnel. All of the teams worked to dig around the man, stabilise him and put him on oxygen. The fire service then called in their urban search and rescue team who shored up the hole so that the man could finally be recovered. Bev Allen Humber Coastguard Watch Manager says: “Visitors to the beach need to bear in mind that sand is extremely unstable. And sand dunes of course, by their nature are constantly shifting. We are very relieved that we managed to recover this man relatively unscathed from the sand. It does not bear thinking about what might have happened had a child been in the hole instead. “We want our visitors to enjoy our wonderful coastline, particularly in the lovely weather that we are having at the mom

ABERDEEN COASTGUARD COORDINATE EVACUATION FROM TWO GAS RIGS IN NORTH SEA

An evacuation of non essential personnel is currently taking place 240km off Aberdeen on the Elgin and Rowan Viking platforms. The evacuation in the central Graben area is due to a well control problem occurring on the wellhead platform at the Elgin field, resulting in a gas release at 12:15pm .  Aberdeen Coastguard is coordinating the orderly evacuation of 209 non essential personnel to a place of safety. Following the incident, all personnel were called to muster and have been accounted for.  No injuries have been reported. Kevin Brown, Watch Manager, Aberdeen Coastguard, says: “Emergency procedures have been activated.  We are working closely with Total E&P UK Limited. We have three Rescue helicopters on scene and the assistance of four civilian helicopters all aiding with the evacuation process.   Work is ongoing to control the release.” Notes to Editors: ·          TOTAL has been present in the United Kingdom since 1962.  TOTAL E&P UK Limited is one of the ma

KAYAKERS THROWN AGAINST ROCKS

A man and a young child were thrown from their kayak as it capsized off of Thurlestone, South Devon . Brixham Coastguard received a call at 1pm from a member of the public on a nearby golf course; he could hear people screaming from the water below. Coastguard Rescue Officers from Hope Cove were sent to the scene and the Hope Cove Independent Lifeboat was launched as well as scrambling the Coastguard Rescue helicopter from Portland . Dave Colmer, Brixham Coastguard, says: “We were very concerned for the welfare of the two occupants of the kayak; we believe one to be in his late fifties and the other to be ten years old.   They were both being washed up against the rocks; a surfer was able to help assist them by getting in close to the rocks in order to evacuate them to the rescue boat. The paramedics from the Rescue helicopter assessed the two casualties who were suffering from hypothermia; they were taken to Derriford Hospital by helicopter.” General advice for kayakers :

COLLISION IN DOVER STRAIT

Two ships on passage in the Dover Strait collided in poor visibility this morning. The ‘Gas Arctic,’ LPG tanker currently in ballast, registered in Malta was on passage from Tees to Portland , with 14 crew aboard. The ‘Spring Bok’, cargo ship, registered in the Netherlands was on passage from Amsterdam to Oranjestad, Aruba , with 22 crew aboard. The vessels collided this morning when visibility was less than half a mile. Dover Coastguard requested the launch of the Dungeness all weather lifeboat and requested the assistance of HMS Tyne which was transiting the Strait. Phil Davies, Watch Officer, Dover Coastguard, says: “The vessels have both incurred damage above the water line but are fully capable of making their way to Portland where they will be inspected.” Notes to Editors: Stay safe - before heading out on the water get trained, check weather and tides, wear a lifejacket, avoid alcohol and keep in touch                                                            

YOUNG BOY RESCUED FROM CLIFF

An eleven year old boy was rescued after becoming stranded on the cliff at Combe Martin, North Devon this evening. Swansea Coastguard received a ‘999’ call at 5:50pm from another young boy requesting help for his friend, who had got cut off by the tide. We understand the boy had tried to climb the cliff but had got stuck 3 metres up the cliff. Coastguard Rescue Teams from Lynmouth and Ifracombe were sent to the scene and the Rescue Helicopter from RAF Chivenor was scrambled and the inshore RNLI lifeboat from Ilfracombe was requested to launch. David Jones, Watch Manager, Swansea Coastguard, says: “The Rescue helicopter was able to rescue the young boy and take him to the top of the cliff where he was met by Coastguard Rescue Officers; I am pleased to say he is safe and well. I understand he was with a group of friends, but became detached from the group whilst looking in a cave at the foot of the cliff, his friend who raised the alarm was able to stay on the phone and assisted

DIVER RESCUED FROM SHIPPING LANE IN CHANNEL

A diver was rescued from the North East shipping lane of the Dover Strait this afternoon after he was spotted in the water shouting for help. He was spotted in the middle of the Channel, near the Sandettie South West Buoy, at approximately quarter to four, by a passing ship. They called Dover Coastguard who immediately sent the RAF Rescue helicopter from Wattisham and the RNLI lifeboats from Walmer and Dover to the scene. Dover Coastguard also broadcast a warning to vessels in the area. Around twenty minutes later Dover Coastguard was told by a dive boat in the area that their diver was missing. Dover lifeboat was sent to the dive boat to find out more information about the missing person.   Just as Walmer lifeboat was reaching the scene the merchant vessel ‘Edenborg’, who had heard the alert and was keeping a look out told Dover Coastguard that they could see a person in the water in front of their ship. The ‘Edenborg’ slowed down to help the person and was able to guide Walmer li

ANGLING BOAT LOST IN FOG IN SWANSEA BAY

An angling boat had to be rescued this afternoon after it got lost in fog in Swansea Bay. The 22-foot angling boat was on its way home from a fishing trip when the fog thickened and they became disorientated. They contacted Swansea Coastguard to report that the GPS on board wasn’t working and as the tide was going out and they couldn’t see where they were they had decided to drop anchor and wait for the fog to lift. Swansea Coastguard sent Mumbles RNLI Lifeboat to search the water and Mumbles Coastguard Rescue Team to their reported position to see if they could hear the boat. After an hour and a half of searching the lifeboat found the angling vessel and brought it safely back to Swansea Marina. Swansea Coastguard Watch Manager Steven Matthews said: “Spring fog is a well known phenomenon and our misty morning quickly became thick fog. “These conditions are forecast to be around for the next couple of days and so this incident is a timely reminder for all mariners that navigating

FISHERMAN PLUCKED FROM LIFERAFT AFTER BOAT SINKS

A Plymouth fisherman was rescued from his liferaft by lifeboat after his nine-metre fishing vessel, ‘Arandora   Star’, started taking water and sank whilst in Bigbury Bay. Brixham Coastguard received a 999 call from a member of the public reporting that they had seen a parachute flare over the bay and that he could see the vessel in difficulty. The coastguard requested the launch of Plymouth RNLI lifeboat and scrambled a rescue helicopter. The pleasure vessel ‘Itinerant Child’ also saw the flare and went to the aid of the fisherman. The dive vessel ‘outcast’ responded to a mayday relay message and also went to the scene. Once the lifeboat arrived on scene it was able to rescue the man from his liferaft and take him to shore. He was unharmed although shocked by his ordeal. Matt Thornhill, Brixham Coastguard Watch Officer says:   “The fisherman’s vessel sank very quickly, but he was already sensibly wearing a lifejacket and immersion suit, so was able to get into his liferaft and await r

ANGLERS LOST IN FOG GUIDED TO SAFETY

Two anglers, who became disorientated in fog on a rising tide, were helped to safety last night by the Llantwit Major Coastguard Rescue Team and two lifeboats. Swansea Coastguard received a call from the anglers at 5.00 am this morning, requesting assistance because they had become disorientated as fog descended at Monknash Beach near Llantwit Major. The two men, in their early twenties and from Swansea, had arrived at about 10.00 pm for a night’s fishing. Swansea Coastguard sent the Llantwit Major Coastguard Rescue Team to the beach and requested the Atlantic College and Porthcawl Inshore RNLI lifeboats to launch. The men had head torches with them and the lifeboat crew managed to see them through the fog. Swansea Coastguard connected the coastguard to the two men through a conference call and they were able to confirm their location near Whitmore Stairs. The coastguard rescue team located the two men and guided them off the beach and back to the car park. Bernie Kemble, Swansea Coast

ENGINE FIRE ON FORTH PILOT BOAT

The ‘Forth Leopard’, a Forth Pilot Boat, reported an engine room fire to Forth Coastguard at 3.30am today. The two crew reported that there was a fire in the engine room and that they were in the middle of the Firth of Forth. They had used the onboard fire control system to seal the engine room and believed the fire was under control. There were no reported injuries. Forth Coastguard sent the RNLI lifeboat from Kinghorn and the Forth Ports’ tug ‘Fidra’ to the scene. ‘Fidra’ towed ‘Forth Leopard’ to Leith Docks where it was met by Lothian and Borders Fire Service who investigated the fire. Fisherrow Coastguard Rescue Team was also at the docks to monitor the situation. Gordon Downard Watch Manager Forth Coastguard said: “Fire on a vessel at sea is every mariners’ nightmare but this was a textbook example of how it should be dealt with.” -Ends-