Maritime and Coastguard Agency

A Coastguard Rescue Team which had just finished applauding the NHS and key workers had to drop everything for a shout because a distress flare had been launched. The flare had been launched as part of the appreciation for the NHS event despite all HM Coastguard advice to take part safely. Please do show your gratitude to the NHS tonight by clapping but distress flares and Chinese lanterns, which can be mistaken for flares, should not be used. When a report of a suspected distress flare is received, the teams from HM Coastguard have to investigate which can tie up resources when it isn’t necessary. The Hayling Island Coastguard Rescue Service had gathered at the station last week, observing social distancing. Station Officer Geoff Hicks said: “It was a very special moment when an NHS ambulance went past just after 8pm, so out of respect we engaged our sirens as they passed. It was a real goose bump moment. “But, no sooner had the clapping finished, the team ha

Our Coastguard Rescue Teams are still busy supporting our emergency service partners, the NHS and local authorities as part of a UK-wide Covid-19 mutual aid effort. Over one hundred of our Coastguard Rescue Teams have responded to requests for assistance from Police forces around the UK by patrolling beaches and coastal hotspots, providing safety advice and reporting incidents or large gatherings of people. The graphic (image one below) shows and offers an insight into the location of our teams around the country and the areas in which they have been sent to incidents throughout the past month (period dating between March 27th to April 27th). In image two, the yellow and red markings illustrate the locations of our teams that have been required to assist in more mutual aid work with our partners than those in green.  Matt Leat, Head of Infrastructure at HM Coastguard, said: “We remain committed to be providing support to other category 1 responders by supporting frontline

Salvage operations are continuing onboard the cargo vessel MV Kaami after it ran aground in the Minch between Skye and Lewis last month. A further 24 skips containing water-logged cargo material have been removed from the ship over the last two days by salvage company Resolve. A total of 184 skips worth of cargo  and water-logged cargo material  have now been removed from the vessel and it’s hoped that  the cargo removal operation will be finished tomorrow .  Less than three percent of the cargo material is likely to remain on board after tomorrow and will remain on board the ship. Operations are now mainly focussing on completing repairs and making the ship watertight prior to re-floating.

HM Coastguard received a 999 call at 3.23pm today (April 25) about an overdue diver. He was reported as missing by his friend, who had also been diving from the same boat off Lyme Bay, Lyme Regis. RNLI lifeboats from Lyme Regis and Exmouth were sent, along with Lyme Regis coastguard rescue team and search and rescue helicopters from St Athan and Newquay. Other nearby vessels including HMS Tyne and two fishing vessels also assisted with the search. The diver, who had been diving without a buddy, was found safe and well by the lifeboat from Exmouth shortly after 5pm. He had surfaced safely but had lost sight of the dive vessel after his line became detached. Both of those onboard the boat had been diving as a leisure activity and were fined by police after being brought back to shore. The Government has been clear that during this coronavirus pandemic we need to #StayHomeSaveLives. Leisure diving is not essential and every 999 call made could put our frontline responders at r

Coastguard volunteers have joined emergency and frontline colleagues to highlight the importance of staying home this weekend during the ongoing lockdown, as part of potentially life-saving measures against the spread of Coronavirus (Covid-19). Key workers from Kent #KentTogether have united to put together a short video to remind everyone to follow the Government’s advice by staying safe at home and only going out for essentials trips. You can view this on our Facebook page (search for Maritime and Coastguard Agency).  This important message reaches far wider than Kent’s borders and has no limits. So wherever you are in the country #StayHomeSaveLives Assistant Director of the Coastguard Pete Mizen said: “We continue to urge people to give the coast a miss at this time, it will still be there waiting for you to enjoy when the crisis is over and things begin to return to normal. “If you are heading to the coast as part of your daily exercise please stay local and stick

Salvage operations continue onboard the cargo vessel MV Kaami after it ran aground in the Minch between Skye and Lewis last month. A total of 160 skips worth of cargo have been taken ashore by salvage company Resolve and divers are continuing to carry out internal damage assessments. Today (April 21), work continued to transfer cargo submerged inside the hold to another area of the ship for drying. This will be removed from the ship in the coming days. Stephan Hennig the Secretary of State’s Representative Maritime for Salvage and Intervention, said: ‘The weather forecast continues to look favourable until at least the weekend and good progress is being made. The next stage of the salvage will focus on continuing to assess the internal damage and attempting to temporarily repair damaged sections of the ship.

Work continues at pace to remove cargo from the MV Kaami. A further 22 skips of cargo were removed today (April 20), meaning a total of 160  skips worth of cargo have now been taken ashore.   Divers have also now been able to access the hold of the vessel to begin internal  damage assessment. The ship remains aground in the Minch between Skye and Lewis. Stephan Hennig, the Secretary of State’s Representative Maritime Salvage and Intervention, said: ‘Thanks to good weather and sea conditions, progress is being made swiftly. The removal of so much cargo now means we’re getting closer to the next phase of the salvage which will focus on assessing the internal damage and attempting to temporarily repair damaged sections of the ship.

Our teams across the UK played their part in the fight against Covid-19 over the long Easter weekend, providing help and support to other emergency services, local authorities and NHS bodies. Dozens of coastguard rescue teams were asked through local resilience forums to patrol beaches and coastal hotspots, provide safety advice and report any incidents or large groups of people to local police.  Coastguards were also out and about on the streets of Cardiff supporting Cardiff Council and South Wales Police by patrolling the city with a clear message, broadcast by loud hailer, to  📢  #StayHomeSaveLives.     By providing mutual aid to other category 1 responders we are supporting frontline services, providing help to the vulnerable in our communities and supporting government policy.

Salvors have been able to take a further 22 skips full of cargo from the grounded MV Kaami over the Easter weekend. It is estimated that around one third of the vessel’s cargo has now been removed. Cargo offloading from MV Kaami is heavily dependent on weather and sea conditions and the salvage team were unable to safely carry out further cargo removal yesterday and are unable to continue the operation today (April 14). The salvage is overseen by the Secretary of State’s Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention supported by the MCA, salvors, the ship’s insurers and the Scottish Environment Group. A temporary exclusion zone of 500 metres remains in place around MV Kaami to all but those vessels directly involved in supporting the response. The Maritime Accident Investigation Branch is continuing their investigation remotely with assistance from the salvors.

🥚 We’re wishing everyone an egg-cellent Easter - but not at the expense of our frontline responders. 🚨 Each time our teams are called to incidents which shouldn’t be happening during lockdown, such as yachts running aground or pleasure boats breaking down, they’re being put at risk of #COVID-19. ☀ ️So enjoy the sunshine this long weekend, but please follow the Government guidance, which can be found here https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus and remember #StayHomeSaveLives.

The operation to remove pollutants has now been completed by salvors from the cargo vessel MV Kaami. Fuel and contaminated seawater from the onboard tanks have been taken for recycling and disposal. The focus of the operation will now be on planning for cargo removal and disposal once weather and sea conditions allow. Vessels and cargo salvage equipment are on standby to make use of any breaks in the weather. The salvage is overseen by the Secretary of State’s Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention supported by the MCA, salvors, the ship’s insurers and the Scottish Environment Group. The HM Coastguard fixed wing aircraft carried out further monitoring flights over the weekend to detect and assess any pollution. No pollution was observed around the vessel and the shoreline.   A break in the weather allowed the salvage team to board the vessel on Saturday (April 4) to install a motion monitoring system. This will allow salvors who are not aboard

HM Coastguard is playing its part during these unprecedented and challenging times by providing help and support to other emergency services, local authorities and NHS bodies in the fight against Covid-19. By providing mutual aid to other category one responders we are supporting frontline services, providing help to the vulnerable in our communities and supporting government policy. This weekend, coastguard rescue teams from across the UK were asked through local resilience forums to provide high visibility patrols of beaches and coastal hotspots and report back to local police forces, noting any incidents or large groups of people. A total of 25 teams from North Wales, Essex, Devon and Cornwall took part, all helping ensure the safety of those on the beaches. But it’s not just those in the emergency services who can make a difference – everyone can play a part during this coronavirus pandemic simply by remembering to #StayHomeSaveLives.

The Government has been clear that during this coronavirus pandemic we need to #StayHomeSaveLives. Despite that, we’ve had a huge number of incidents at the coast and on the sea, including yachts aground and pleasure boats broken down. This shouldn’t be happening. Every 999 call made could put our frontline responders at risk of #COVID-19 and places avoidable pressure on our vital NHS services.  Stretch your legs but not our resources by staying close to home for your exercise.  Please follow the Government guidance, which can be found here https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Salvage operations continue onboard the cargo vessel MV Kaami after it ran aground in the Minches last month. Pollutants are being removed from the vessel by salvage company Resolve and they are also preparing for the removal of cargo. Salvors and specialist divers are carrying out onboard and underwater surveys to assist with the intended re-floating and eventual removal of the vessel. The salvage is overseen by the Secretary of State’s Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention supported by the MCA, salvors, the ship’s insurers and the Scottish Environment Group. So far, specialist salvage teams have removed most of the remaining fuel and contaminated seawater from onboard fuel tanks for recycling and disposal ashore. The fuel removal operation is nearing completion.  In addition, salvors have removed most other pollutants and loose material, such as paints, ropes and buoys, as these might hamper future operations and had the potential to impact on the envi