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Sleeping skipper to pay £10k for causing vessel collision

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  The skipper of a fishing trawler has been ordered to pay £10,000 after falling asleep during his watch, causing the vessel to collide with another. On 15 January 2022 Maurice Reid, aged 44, of Fraserburgh, was in charge of the Fishing Vessel Margaret Anne’s journey when he started to fall asleep. Moments later the vessel collided with anchored fishing vessel Blackbird in the Shoreham area, off the south coast of Sussex, causing minor injuries to the two men onboard. The crew on the Blackbird had been shouting and waving at the Margaret Anne in an attempt to stop the pending collision, before pulling on the anchor to ensure minor impact. Unaffected by the hit, the Margaret Anne continued its journey. It wasn’t until crew members of the Margaret Anne looked out the window it had dawned on them what had happened to the smaller vessel, only then realising their skipper was asleep. Heard at Lewes Crown Court, Reid pleaded guilty to failing to do what was required as master to
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Company to pay £100k after unsafe vessel sinks causing death of two

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  A fishing company must pay more than £100,000 after a highly modified vessel capsized, causing the deaths of two people onboard. Laura D Fishing Ltd., a company operating fishing vessels from Brixham, has pleaded guilty to failing to take all reasonable steps to ensure that a vessel was operated in a safe manner, under Section 100(1) and100(3) of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995. On 21 November, 2020, Robert Morley, Adam Harper and David Bickerstaff were onboard the Joanna C, five miles south of Shoreham, when the vessel’s gear snagged on the seabed. The vessel’s lack of stability meant it could not recover, causing the Joanna C to rapidly sink. Out of the three crew members, only Mr Bickerstaff survived. Prior to the incident, Joanna C, owned by Laura D Fishing, had undergone a major refit in 2019, including the addition of a whaleback, extension of the wheelhouse and fitting raised bulwarks. These, along with other modifications, affected the stability of the vessel. Vessel
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Mother and son to pay more than £5,000 for obstructing work of MCA

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A man has been ordered to pay more than £2,000 for obstructing the work of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). A woman has also been fined £2,000 for failing to provide the MCA with requested documents. On 3 March, 2022, Rhys Wonnacott, of Milford Haven, prevented MCA surveyors boarding the fishing vessel Provider, moored at Milford Haven Harbour. Because of this, surveyors were unable to complete an inspection of the vessel, as part of a Fishing Vessel Concentrated Inspection Campaign that was taking place that day. Obstructing an MCA surveyor from their duties is against the law, under Section 258 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995. On 2 May at Haverford West Magistrates’ Court, Rhys Wonnacott was fined £800 and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £320 and costs of £1,000. Following the incident in 2022 Louise Wonnacott, Rhys’ mother, of Milford Haven, repeatedly failed to provide the MCA with required documentation as part of an ongoing investigation, after claim
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‘More accessible and easy to use’ – Updates to health and safety handbook complete

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The key health and safety handbook for seafarers has been given a makeover, making it “more accessible and easy to use”.   Following industry and stakeholder feedback the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has updated the Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers (COSWP).      While still providing the same important guidance to the seafarer community, the code’s language, design and structure has been updated, making the contents of the code informative but simple and clear.      The physical format of the code has also changed to a bound copy rather than loose-leaf, making it easier to access the most up to date information.     A sample of the revamped code went to consultation at the end of last year, and now, after receiving an overall positive response, the new version has been officially released today.      MCA Chief Executive Virginia McVea said:     “The Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers is such an important tool and we’re excit
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Boat owner to pay £20k after vessel collides with rocks

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A boat owner has been ordered to pay £20,000 at the Portsmouth Crown Court today, 16 February, following a joint investigation by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and Hampshire Police. Ian Sullivan, 55, from Swindon, pleaded guilty to a failure to keep a proper lookout and failure to proceed at a safe speed under The Merchant Shipping (Distress Signals and Prevention of Collisions) Regulations 1996, in connection with the grounding of his vessel Sully in Totland Bay, Isle of Wight in September, 2022. In addition to costs, Sullivan has been sentenced to 18 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months, and must complete 150 hours of unpaid work. Three passengers on board the motorboat sustained serious injuries when the vessel collided with rocks at the shoreline, with one of the crew suffering life-changing injuries. Several witnesses reported that the brightly lit motor cruiser crossed Totland Bay at speed on the night of 24 September and would have been unlikely to maintain
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‘It’s my dream job’: Winner of Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s Officer Trainee of the Year

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A deck officer who discovered a “love for the sea” as a young teenager has been given the 2023 Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s Officer Trainee of the Year award. Katie Jayne McGahan Hargreaves was chosen for her willingness to go above and beyond in promoting the maritime industry as an enthusiastic and dedicated ambassador. She was just 13 years old when she found her passion for the water, almost by accident, having taken up an invite to join her brothers in the Sea Cadets during the school holidays. Katie signed up to a sailing course within weeks and her new lifelong ambition saw her go on to qualify as an officer several years later. She is now third officer for Cemex Marine Aggregates. The award was presented at the UK Chamber of Shipping’s annual gala dinner on Monday 5 February at the JW Marriott Hotel, London. Katie was nominated by her nautical college Fleetwood Nautical Campus in Blackpool, Fylde College, and training management companies Chiltern Maritime and MEF (Maritime
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Funding for seafarer cadets available for an extra six months

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  Seafarer cadets can now continue to access financial support for their training up until spring 2025, as funds have been locked in for a further six months.   In 2022 the UK Government announced an increase in training subsidies for cadets, leading to more than £40million being awarded to the Support for Maritime Training (SMarT) fund, as well as providing additional support for junior officers .     With this pot of money, eligible seafarers have the opportunity to get half of their training paid – the subsidy went from 30 per cent to 50 per cent for all new and existing SMarT funded seafarers - providing a real investment in the future of maritime and securing future growth.     The boost will also assist UK Junior Officers to complete a Management Level Certificate of Competency.   With an original end date of September 2024, this funding will now be available until 31 March 2025 .     The funds awarded to SMarT have an objective of providing further financial support to thos
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