Maritime and Coastguard Agency

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has detained five UK-flagged fishing vessels in the space of two weeks which were found to have been non-compliant with multiple areas of legislation in the Merchant Shipping Act.   Today (31 July), vessel Olivia Jean was detained by MCA surveyors at Fraserburgh in Aberdeenshire. Earlier this week (Monday 27 July), Camm Bounteous was detained in Brixham and Noordzee was also detained at the same location on Tuesday (28 July).   Last week, ships Camm Courageous and Sea Lady were also found to be in breach of legislation and both detained at Shoreham.   All five of these vessels are owned by Annan-based fishing company TN Trawlers Ltd.   Inspections carried out by the MCA found that each vessel had breached the Merchant Shipping Act on a range of issues.   All vessels currently remain in detention.

A collaboration with the University of Southampton’s Marine and Maritime Institute has charged up our newly formed Maritime Future Technologies team, with a new research placement looking at how high density batteries could help make our ships cleaner and greener. This is inline with how the team intends to work, by facilitating and supporting innovation, whilst providing some critical insight to these complex issues that will drive the UK to emerge as a worldwide role model in this area. PhD researcher and chartered engineer Benjamin Craig will be working alongside the team to examine whether the use of such batteries and hybrid drive systems could be beneficial to the maritime sector. Working closely with University of Southampton professors Dr Richard Wills and Prof Andrew Cruden, Benjamin will look at the technical potential and limitations along with the environmental and financial impact that a widespread uptake of the technology would have on the maritime industry. This will

The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has approved a new simulator programme which will give sea cadets a chance to get some of their training online. Working closely with the maritime industry, including the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the MCA has played a key role in both developing and supporting a full mission bridge simulator. It gives cadets the chance to get a proper understanding of what real life is like onboard the bridge of a vessel. The course, which will be run by MCA-approved Maritime Colleges permitted to use the bridge watchkeeping skills simulator, is credited towards the seagoing service requirements. It will also provide cadets with a decision-making environment that may not be available in 'real-time' on a ship, especially in cases of high traffic density and restricted visibility. This training experience is available for maritime cadets to use in lieu of up to two months’ sea service on-board vessels; with the aim of enhancing all

Surveyors from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency have released the UK-registered fishing vessel Eder Sands from detention after the deficiencies were rectified. The boat was originally detained on 2 July, following an investigation and inspection carried out in line with COVID-19 guidance. An improvement notice setting out requirements over rest hours has been issued.   Abhinav Chaudhary, Aberdeen-based Principal Marine Surveyor said: “The MCA is now satisfied that all the deficiencies including work agreements have been put right and we are now releasing the vessel from detention.”

Surveyors from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency have detained a UK registered fishing vessel following allegations including non-payment of wages.   The Eder Sands, a Classed fishing vessel of over 24m Registered length   was detained in Scrabster on 2 July, after an investigation and inspection carried out in line with the Government COVID-19 guidance.   During the inspection, surveyors found fishing vessel work agreements did not comply with Work in Fishing Convention (WIFC) regulations, the vessel did not have a WIFC certificate, the crew were not properly qualified. Further, the owners could not provide evidence that the crew had been paid in full and wage receipts were not in accordance with the regulations.   It was also found that although the vessel had 20 crew, it did not have the requisite International Sewage Pollution prevention certificate.   The vessel will be released only when the vessel complies with all the requisite regulations including ILO 188 as per MCA

Two books designed to help with the challenges of being at sea for a long time have been published by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. The importance of mental health and wellbeing is something that the MCA has worked hard with industry to promote and support.  ‘Wellbeing at Sea: A Guide for Organisations’ and ‘Wellbeing at Sea: A Pocket Guide for Seafarers’ have been created by the MCA in consultation with unions, ship owners and maritime charities; and explore a range of mental, emotional and physical issues crew might experience on a day-to-day basis on-board vessels. From feelings of isolation and fatigue to personal struggles of being separated from loved ones for extended periods of time, these two publications have been written by health experts and provide pragmatic advice to empower both organisations and seafarers. Research has shown that poor wellbeing is linked with lower levels of productivity and higher rates of accidents and errors in employees, in addition

Latest figures show fishing fatality rate still one of the highest in the UK compared to other industries. A compelling new campaign, ‘Home and Dry’, shines a light on the fishing heroes in the UK keeping seafood on plates throughout the COVID-19 crisis and urges them to get back to port safely. The campaign, led by The Fishing Industry Safety Group (FISG), highlights a day at sea and the simple steps a skipper and his crew take every day to ensure they return home safely to their loved ones. The campaign comes as many fishing crews across the UK are returning to sea following weeks of lockdown and challenging market conditions to sell their catch. Created with support from the fishing industry, it focuses on the importance of community and home for those who make a living from catching fish. It shines a light on the pride and professionalism of the industry as a way to get vital out messages about good safety at sea. Dave Driver, a Brixham skipper featured in the campai

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency announced today that they will commence a phased return to Survey and Inspection activity in the UK from 20 July. From today (6 July) Marine Offices will start to take bookings for 20 July onwards. Survey activities will be carried out in accordance with the guidance outlined in MIN 623 (M+F) and Operators are strongly advised to consult this document prior to making any arrangements . However, Marine Office front desk counter services will continue to remain closed at this time.  MIN 612 (M+F) has been substantially amended to reflect the increasing ability of the industry to undertake the activities previously restricted due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The MCA says its survey and inspection team will work within Government guidance and requests for surveys required after the 20 th July may be made in the normal manner, the Application for Survey’ MSF5100 form can be accessed through the following link:- https://www.gov.uk/government/publicat

Today, during its most challenging year in its history, the NHS celebrates its 72 nd birthday We all have our own very special reasons to be thankful to the NHS. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s Strategic Head of Communications Jules Morton credits the NHS with saving the life of her one-year-old son, Sam, in January 2015. Jules said: “It was a normal Friday evening. I’d taken Sam and his older sister Annabelle upstairs for a bath and hadn’t noticed that Sam was still holding a wooden spoon, which he’d been using to bang some pots and pans in the kitchen. The kids went to play in a bedroom while I ran the bath. “I just remember hearing this piercing scream. I ran in and Sam was covered in blood – he’d fallen with the spoon in his mouth.” She rushed Sam to A&E at Dorchester hospital, where he was treated for a gash in his throat. He was discharged the following morning, with instructions from the consultant to bring him straight back in if anything changed.

From Monday 6 July the BBC’s broadcasts of the UK Maritime Weather Service, including the Shipping Forecast, will begin to be phased back to normal broadcast times and radio frequencies.   All broadcasts apart from the one currently being put out at 0533 will revert to previous times and previously dropped broadcasts reinstated.   From Monday 6 July, the Shipping Forecast will be broadcast at 0048 on FM and LW, 0533 on FM and LW, midday on LW, and 1754 on LW, also broadcast on FM at weekends.    From Monday 13 July the Shipping Forecast will return entirely to the normal broadcast schedule, and will be broadcast at 0048 on FM and LW, 0520 on FM and LW, midday on LW and 1754 on LW, also broadcast on FM at weekends.    On behalf of the MCA, the Met Office will continue to produce Shipping Forecast and Inshore Waters Forecast four times a day and Her Majesty’s Coastguard will be broadcasting as normal via NAVTEX and MF/VHF marine radio.  Strong wind and gale warnings wi

Chief executive Brian Johnson says he’s looking forward to working with other maritime leaders as part of the newly established Maritime Skills Commission (MSC) bringing the best of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s expertise to the fore. Government and industry, working through Maritime UK, has established the MSC to lead the sector, bringing experts from across the field covering all aspects from shipping to ports, leisure marine, engineering, science and professional services.  The MSC is a core element of delivering the Department for Transport’s Maritime 2050 strategy and reports jointly to the Maritime Minister and to Maritime UK’s National Council. It’s role will include supporting skills, including apprenticeships, training provision and education. Brian Johnson is one of the newly appointed Maritime Skills Commissioners who will meet for the first time today (2 July). He said: “As we come out of COVID-19, it’s important we continue to support an industry which wi

Maritime cadets will be allowed to extend their funding support given through the Maritime Training, under plans announced by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.   The MCA has confirmed it will extend the Maritime Training (SMarT) Fund by up to three months for those cadets who have not been able to finish their training and gain their Certificate of Competency (CoC), within the 150-week SMarT funding period because of COVID-19.   It means cadets will remain sponsored and can develop their knowledge and skills through online learning.    Cadets can claim if they have been unable to complete their training and obtain their CoC because a delay in taking an MCA oral or written exam has been caused by COVID-19 restrictions, or STCW safety courses were unavailable for the same reason. They will also be able to claim if they were unable to obtain sea service due to COVID-19 restrictions.   Katy Ware, Director of Maritime Safety and Standards said: “We know the COVID-19 pandemic has

The United Kingdom is officially the highest performing Flag under the Paris MOU Port State Control regime. In the Paris MoU Committee list published today, the UK heads the White List which is based on the total number of inspections and detentions over a three-year rolling period for flags which have had at least 30 inspections in the period. Katy Ware, director of maritime safety and standards, as well as being the UK’s Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization said it was good news for all those who had worked hard to maintain UK standards. She said: “This shows that what you put in, you get out. We’ve worked with industry to improve those standards and our surveyors continue to apply them at high levels. “It’s a great moment to see our name at the top of the list and we will continue to strive to make sure our standards remain at this same high level.’