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Showing posts from August, 2015

NEWS: Vessel Towed to Peterhead After Collision At Sea

A 24 metre fuelling vessel called Erin Wood is being towed to Peterhead this evening after a collision with a Cyprus registered cargo vessel Daroja. At 5.10pm Aberdeen Coastguard received a Mayday call from the Erin Wood with two crew on board, which had taken on water following a collision approximately two miles off Peterhead with a cargo vessel.  No injuries to crew were reported. Aberdeen Coastguard requested the launch of Peterhead All Weather Lifeboat and other vessels offered assistance.  The Erin Wood was taken under tow by a fishing vessel into Peterhead and the cargo vessel has also gone to Peterhead. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency will be attending both vessels and an investigation is underway. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch, MAIB has also been informed.

NEWS: Skye hoax caller jailed

A man who has been found guilty of making multiple hoax calls to the UK Coastguard has been jailed for four months. Alasdair Munro, 55, from Kyleakin, Skye, appeared before Sheriff Scott at Portree Sheriff Court on 27 th August 2015. Mr Munro denied all charges but was found guilty of an offence contrary to the Communications Act 2003 section 127. The court was told that Mr Munro had called HM Coastguard multiple times on 30 th October 2013 claiming that a yacht was lost in Loch Hourn. Mr Munro explained that he had spoken to someone on VHF radio stating that they were lost in Loch Hourn and didn’t know how to get out. In response to his call, the Mallaig RNLI Lifeboat and Kyle Coastguard Rescue Teams were sent to search for the vessel. The yacht that Mr Munro claimed to have heard from was not found. Police interviewed Mr Munro and found that there was legitimate cause to believe that the calls to the Coastguard had been a hoax. In passing sentence

Feature: How deep is the ocean? We know.

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When you go out to sea in your boat, you need to trust your chart. You need to know where you’re going, what the potential hazards are and how deep it is. It’s all there on your chart. But have you ever wondered how anyone can tell how deep the water is when you can’t see the seabed? The answer might surprise you. The process used to find out the depth of the water is similar to that used by bats and marine mammals to navigate and also that used in some medical procedures: sound.  In the past, of course, it was the old plumb line that was used to work out the depth, but now boats measuring the depth use echo sounders. A sound wave is sent to the seabed - the time it takes for the signal to get back to the boat tells you how deep the water is. It can also give an indication of what the seabed in that place is made of. Sound waves bounce off rock more easily than they do sand. The work is carried out as part of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s running of the UK Civil Hyd

NEWS: Two people rescued after fishing vessel sank off Dungeness

Two crew were rescued from the sea off Dungeness early this morning after a fishing vessel sank in the English Channel.  At 03:28 BST UK Coastguards at Dover were alerted by their French counterparts at Cap Griz Nez that they had received a mayday call from a fishing vessel in difficulties. The fishing vessel sent out a distress alert using VHF radio reporting that they were taking on water. The fishermen were in UK waters approximately 10 miles south west of Dungeness Point. The RNLI lifeboat based at Dungeness was sent along with the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter, based at Lydd. Three fishing vessels and a Cargo ship also responded. The fishermen were recovered from a life raft by one of the fishing vessels and Dungeness RNLI All Weather Lifeboat attempted to pump the water off the sinking boat but, due to the volume of water, the vessel sank. After it was known that the fishermen were safe and well the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter was stood down. The crew were taken

NEWS: Coastguard Rescue Man from Mud in Emsworth

This evening the National Maritime Operations Centre received a call from Hampshire Fire and Rescue about a man who had become stuck in the mud at Osprey Quay, Emsworth. The man had gone to retrieve a paddle and could not make his way back, so he sat on a buoy waiting for help. The Selsey and Hillhead Coastguard Rescue Teams (CRT) were able to extract the man from the mud using their specialist mud rescue equipment.  The Hampshire Fire and Rescue team and South Central Ambulance also arrived on scene to assist. Holly Newnham, the Coastguard Senior Maritime Operations Officer, said: ' Our advice if you do find yourself stuck in the mud, is to try to spread your weight as much as possible, avoid moving and stay as calm as you can. Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard and we’ll get our specially trained teams out to you as quickly as possible. Discourage others from attempting to rescue you, since without the proper equipment they could become stuck in the mud as well.&#

NEWS: Update on search for missing man off Aberdeen

The search for a man who fell overboard from a vessel in the early hours of this morning (17 th  August) has been suspended. A full scale search was carried out following a report from a fishing vessel near Girdle Ness Light, involving eleven other boats, an offshore helicopter and two Coastguard Rescue teams. However, the man has not been found and the search suspended. Ian Guy, Maritime Operations Controller said, ‘We used all the means and assets available to search an extensive area but with no sign of this missing man. ‘In the absence of further information the search has been suspended. Our thoughts are with this man’s family and friends at this sad time.’

NEWS: Missing man search off Aberdeen

A large scale search is being carried out south-east of Aberdeen for a man who fell overboard from a vessel. A call was made to UK Coastguard just before 2am today (17 th August) to report the incident near Girdle Ness Light. Aberdeen and Stonehaven Coastguard Rescue Teams, along with two lifeboats from Aberdeen and a Bond aircraft/helicopter are involved in the search. There are currently eleven vessels involved in the search including the two lifeboats. Matt Leat, Maritime Operations Controller said, ‘There is an extensive search of the area going on. Police Scotland has also been made aware.’

NEWS: Diver airlifted from Bridlington Bay by Coastguard helicopter

A diver has been airlifted to hospital after a dive boat in Bridlington Bay called the UK Coastguard. The call came in at 2.35pm today (16th August) reporting that the 60-year-old female diver was unconscious, but breathing. The UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Humberside was sent to the scene along with Flamborough RNLI Inshore Lifeboat. Crew on board the vessel fired three distress flares, which helped the helicopter to pinpoint its position. The woman was flown to Hull Royal Infirmary where Hull Coastguard Rescue Team met the helicopter. However, despite the efforts of all involved, the diver was declared dead on arrival at the hospital. Another diver is being assessed and being taken to the Hyperbaric Unit as a precaution. Lucy Hicks of Humber Coastguard said 'This is a very sad outcome and our thoughts are with the lady’s friends and all those who tried to help her.'

NEWS: Coastguard Helicopter rescues two people from yacht

Two people had to be airlifted from a yacht that ran aground in the Humber Estuary earlier today (15th August). The UK Coastguard was called to say those on board needed assistance after striking a sandbank. Hull Coastguard Rescue Team and Humber Rescue were sent but the yacht was then reported to have developed a dangerous list as the tide ebbed away quickly. The Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Humberside was sent and two people rescued from the vessel. They were landed in Hull where they were met by Hull Coastguard Rescue Team. Richard Johnson, Senior Maritime Operations Officer, from UK Coastguard said, ‘Both of these people were lifted from the vessel as a precaution. They had done the right thing by using their VHF radio to call the Coastguard as soon as they had realised they needed help. The vessel will be refloated on this evening's tide.’ Click link to see footage... Helicopter rescue  

FEATURE: VIP visitor 'impressed' with the skills of Eastbourne's Coastguard Rescue Team

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The High Sheriff of East Sussex has been seeing at firsthand how Eastbourne Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) carries out cliff rescues. Juliet Smith was at Eastbourne CRT’s cliff rescue training session to see the skills that the team is relied upon for along the Sussex coastline. It specialises in rescue and recovery operations requiring rope access and, alongside the team from Birling Gap, are frequently sent to Beachy Head.  The training session focused on rapid kit set-up and the deployment of a rope rescue technician over the cliff at Holywell, outside Eastbourne. An air of quiet efficiency pervaded as the Coastguard’s equipment was assembled and the vital safety checks were carried out. No team members ventured near the cliff edge unless they were wearing helmets and harnesses secured by their ropes back to holdfasts driven into the chalk. High Sheriff Juliet Smith said “I am extremely impressed with the capabilities that the Coastguard Rescue Service deliv

NEWS: Lydd civilian search and rescue base set to go live

The new Coastguard search and rescue helicopter base at London Ashford Airport will start operations on Friday 14 August, 2015. The base will be officially on standby to receive taskings from the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre from 1300.  Bristow Helicopters Ltd will operate the SAR helicopter service on behalf of HM Coastguard after being awarded a ten year UK SAR contract by the Department for Transport in March 2013. The AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters in red and white HM Coastguard livery have already become a familiar sight with training operations from the base having commenced some weeks ago. The south east is well known to the new base’s Chief Pilot Captain Neil Robertson, a former Sea King pilot whose 17 year career in the RAF saw him serve as Flight Commander at RAF Wattisham’s SAR unit. Since leaving the military he has spent the past six years flying offshore in support of oil and gas operations in the North Sea and most recently supporting SAR trai

Do you recognise this Kayak found in Swansea Bay?

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An empty kayak sparks a large rescue operation in Swansea Bay, Wales. The alarm was raised with the UK Coastguard just after 8pm today (12 th August) after another vessel discovered the empty two person Osprey kayak drifting in Swansea Bay. The kayak contained several pieces of clothing and appears to be in good condition. RNLI lifeboats from Mumbles and Port Talbot, the RAF rescue helicopter based at Chivenor, the South Wales Police helicopter and Coastguard rescue teams from Mumbles and Port Talbot have spent the evening searching the area. The search has been suspended for the night, if you have any information regarding the owner please contact Milford Haven Coastguard Operations Centre on 01646 690909.

Girls cut off by tide

A teenaged girl was recovered from the water near Heysham yesterday and another made it to shore after they were cut off by the tide.   The UK Coastguard would like to remind those who are enjoying our coastline this summer to check tide times to ensure that they do not become cut off by the tide.   Senior Maritime Operations Officer Bill Downing for the UK Coastguard said:   “Many beaches have tide times at their entrance or you can check times on line. If you do get cut off by the tide, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard or if you do not have a phone shout for help.”    

Shetland Coastguard Operations Centre joins national network

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Shetland Coastguard Operations Centre (CGOC) has become part of the new Coastguard national network. Work has been carried out at the search and rescue coordination centre to upgrade the technology and introduce new systems. This means Shetland 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. The changes to Her Majesty’s Coastguard, a service funded and delivered by the UK Government, 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. Steve Turner, Maritime Operations Controller at Shetland CGOC, said: “The way we deliver the coordination of search and rescue operations on our coast and out at sea is changing. Bu

Six-year-old freed from breakwater

A six-year-old boy had to be rescued this evening after he slipped between rails at Bognor Regis and became trapped by a breakwater near a slipway. The National Maritime Operations Centre was called at 7.30 pm this evening by a member of the public reporting the incident. Littlehampton Coastguard Rescue Team, Sussex Fire and Rescue and Sussex Police all attended the scene. On arrival they found the distressed child, who was with his parents. The Fire Service cut a 4 ft piece of timber out of the breakwater and the child was freed within minutes. Holly Newnham, UK Coastguard said: “I am pleased to report that the child is safe and well. We advise people of all ages to be careful when playing near the water’s edge – equipment can be slippery and may not be as secure as you assume. In an emergency on the coast call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”

Search for missing sailor off Lizard - update

A search for a missing yachtsman who was travelling from the Azores to Falmouth was suspended yesterday evening after a person was found in the water during a search between the Lizard and Coverack. The person was taken to hospital in a very serious condition. The alarm was raised with the UK Coastguard at 13.45 yesterday (3rd August 2015) after another vessel discovered the 50ft  yacht with its sails up and no-one on board. Lizard and Falmouth RNLI all weather lifeboats, Falmouth RNLI inshore lifeboat, a rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose, the Porthoustock Coastguard Rescue Team and locals yachts searched an area north-east of The Lizard after the yacht was discovered unmanned and going around in circles. Devon and Cornwall police today confirmed the man, who was taken to Treliske Hospital,  was pronounced deceased. The man is aged 68 and from Yorkshire. It is believed he was the only person aboard the yacht. Next of kin have been informed. The death is not bein

Five rescued following large search in the Solent

A large search focused in the central Solent, was sparked earlier today (2 nd August) after the UK Coastguard received a 999 call from a small leisure craft boat. The vessel which had five people on board, had suffered engine failure and because of the weather conditions, began taking in water. No-one onboard was able to provide a clear position, which was partly a result of having no positioning equipment or navigational aids. Independent lifeboats from Gosport, Hamble and Ryde, along with the Portsmouth RNLI lifeboat conducted a search through the central Solent. The Coastguard Rescue Helicopter based at Lee on Solent began an initial search and was spotted by the vessel which meant its location could then be determined. It was then found by both the lifeboats and the helicopter and all onboard were  transferred to Hamble lifeboat where the paramedic from the Coastguard helicopter carried out initial medical assessments. They were then taken to Lee on Solent whe