Spotlight on 2020

Spotlight on 2020 at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency 

As we approach 2021, we’ve put together some of the highlights from 2020 at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency from our UK Ship Register to HM Coastguard and all our different teams working behind the scenes across the Agency. As ever, it’s been a busy 12 months, especially with the challenges and impact of COVID-19. Here’s a snapshot of just some of our activities – all united by one aim: Safer Lives, Safer Ships, Cleaner Seas. 

January 2020 

  • • MARLab Team meets Maritime Minister: Our MARLab Team met with the previous Maritime MinisterNusrat Ghani MP, as part of her tour of port cities, to look at how they could align their work with the objectives of Maritime 2050. More here

  • • Supporting fishing safety: Our Maritime Safety and Standards Branch and Maritime Investigations Team, joined forces and stepped up the monitoring of the fishing industry and compliance with ILO 188, by taking full advantage of resources and new technology, including the use of fixed-wing aircraft with high quality cameras onboard. More here 

  • • First ever Ship Owners Forum: The UK Ship Register, a service of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, held its first ever Ship Owners Forum which brought together over 20 industry leaders with teams at the Agency to take a strategic look at the future of UK maritimeMore here  

  • • Fishing safety conviction: The skipper of a UK-registered fishing vessel was prosecuted by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency Investigations Team after it was involved in a collision with another fishing vessel in the English Channel in 2019. More here 

  • • HM Coastguard launch radio filler campaign: The thirty-second radio filler told the story of a man who found himself unexpectedly cut off by a tide and how grateful he was that someone knew what to do by calling 999 Coastguard. Watch here


February 2020 


  • • Introducing remotely piloted aircraft: Working closely with aviation experts at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, a new project was announced, exploring the potential for using remotely piloted aircraft to help those in distress at the coastMore here 

  • • HM Coastguard boosts search and rescue: Two new state-of-the-art aircraft were introduced to boost HM Coastguards lifesaving search and rescue missions, featuring technology that can spot people in the water up to 40 miles awayand drop emergency locator beacons, communications and first aid equipment to those in danger. More here 

  • • ARCC’s first Birthday: Our UK Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC), which coordinates the aeronautical side of search and rescue including sending search and rescue aircraft to emergencies around the UK, celebrated its first birthdayMore here 

  • • Colin the Coastguard new book: HM Coastguard launch a new activity book in the Colin the Coastguard series aimed at children of fishermenpushing important safety messages to a new generation. More here


March 2020 


  • • First female Coastguard on Scottish Island: Kate Hannett became the first ever female coastguard rescue officer for HM Coastguard on the Isle of Islay. More here 

  • • Shipping company fined: A Greek ship management company was prosecuted by the Maritime Investigations Team after the tragic death of one of its employees. More here

April 2020 


  • • Salvage operation onboard cargo vesselThe Counter Pollution Team and the HM Coastguard fixed wing aircraft support a counter pollution operation. More here 

  • • William Shakespeare Day: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency share a message of gratitude to seafarers featuring words of ShakespeareWatch here 

  • • Clap for the NHS: HM Coastguard join in from the safety of doorsteps, coastguard stations and operation rooms to say thank you to our NHS during the pandemicWatch here 


May 2020 


  • • #BeBeachSafe campaign: HM Coastguard and the RNLI launch joint safety campaign to highlight that lifeguards couldn’t be everywhere over the summer at beaches and the call 999 Coastguard message. More here

  • • International Workers Day: Our Maritime Services team, led by Director Katy Ware, says a very special thank you to seafarers - a set of very special set of workersWatch here 

  • • UKSAR2G industry presentation: Those at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency involved with the project give an update on the UK Search and Rescue Second Generation (UKSAR2G) project. Watch here


June 2020 


  • • Taking care of seafarers: Maritime and Coastguard Agency surveyors detained five ships after an inspection raised concerns about crew welfareMore here 

  • • #HomeAndDry campaign: a multi-mediapartnership fishing safety campaign was launched with an original soundtrack by Johnny Flynn to encourage fishermen to get home to their families #HomeAndDryMore here 

  • • HM Coastguard issue heartfelt safety reminder to beach goers: Lulworth and Kimmeridge coastguard rescue team, who were among those who responded when three people were seriously injured in May jumping from Durdle Door, feature in a powerful video plea about the sea’s hidden dangers, and the importance of taking care at the coast. Watch here 


July 2020 


  •  • UKSAR2G announced: The UK Search and Rescue Second Generation programme (UKSAR2Gwas announced to replace all the aviation services currently under contract to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, including the search and rescue helicopters operated by Bristow Helicopters Ltdand also the fixed-wing aircraft operated by 2Excel. More here 

  • • Seafarer’s wellbeing: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency published two wellbeing guides for seafarers and ship owners to help with the challenges of being away at sea - forming part of the wider objective to work with industry to promote and support the importance of mental health and wellbeingMore here 

  • • UK Ship Register success: The United Kingdom was declared the highest performing Flag under the Paris MOU Port State Control regime. More here 

  • • Introducing new agency podcast: The first ever official podcast episode was launched for the Maritime and Coastguard AgencyAvailable on i-Tunes, the podcast covers stories around our people and work including maritime innovation, seafarer health and wellbeing, HM Coastguard, counter-pollution and survey, inspection and regulation. More here

  • • Maritime Future Technologies Team created: The team will enable the UK to lead the way in Maritime Emission Reduction and Autonomous Vessels by 2050. 

  • • Project approval: The Radio Network Infrastructure Replacement (RNIR) programme team celebrate a huge step forward as final approval for a project is given which will upgrade the current HM Coastguard’s operational radio network. It will be replaced with a modern and resilient network, with no disruption to operational service. 

  • • UKSR announces dedicated Greek support: the UKSR launched its first overseas sales hub in Greece, appointing Andriani Vodena, a sales executive with an intensive background in shipping, to oversee UKSR's flag services on the ground in Piraeus. More here

 

August 2020 

  • • The busiest day on record for HM CoastguardOur rescue teams dealt with 340 individual incidents across the whole of the UK on Saturday 8 August - the highest in a single day for over four years. More here 

  • • Survey and Inspection: Surveyors detained a UK flagged fishing vessel following its failure to get its mandatory intermediate survey done in time. More here 

  • HM Coastguard and the RNLI join forces again: A joint film was released including real RNLI footage and real audio from a 999 Coastguard call. The video told the story of a 17-year-old paddleboarder called Alfie who became detached from his paddleboard earlier in the summer and dragged out to sea. He managed to call for help because of he had a waterproof pouch for his phone. Watch here


September 2020 


  • • HM Coastguard on prime-time TV: The first ever episode of the brand-new series Emergency Rescue: Air, Land & Sea aired, offering unique insight into HM Coastguard search and rescue response, showing real life incidents and footage.  More here  

  • • UKSR digital register: The UK Ship Register released a new look Red Ensign alongside its new online registration system. The upgrade was part of the continued modernisation of its services to ship owners and operators worldwide, and to bolster its international offer. More here 

  • HM Coastguard and the RNLI joint water safety campaign: A powerful video featuring the Alfie story was released featuring waterproof phone pouch giveaways. Watch here


October 2020 


  • • Vessel detained: Surveyors acting for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency detained an offshore supply vessel in Aberdeen. Acting as the Port State Control Authority for the UK, we had taken this action following concerns raised about the welfare of the crew. More here 

  • • RNLI and HM Coastguard make history: A Memorandum of Understanding was signed. It set out each organisation's responsibilities for search and rescue operations in the UK. Read more 

  • • Safety video went viral: The joint HM Coastguard and RNLI paddleboarding video featuring Alfie reached 10 million viewers worldwide and figures continue to soar. 

  • • UKSR and IONA: Our UK Ship Register welcomes P&O Cruises ship IONA to the UK Flag – their latest ship at the forefront of technology and largest in the UK Fleet. More here 


November 2020 


  • • Receiver oWreck returns tally plate: The Receiver of Wreck at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency facilitates the return of a tally plate from a wreck and presents it to the Royal Canadian NavyMore here  

  • • UK Ship Register wins award for exceptional results: The UK Ship Register received a new boost to its collection of industry accolades for 2020 by receiving a ‘highly commended’ in the BCS Chartered Institute for IT Awards. More here 

  • • Academia meets maritime expertise: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency and University of Southampton sign a Memorandum of Understanding to formalise partnership. The joint working relationship - including the UK Ship Register’s ongoing drive to support innovation – will see maritime expertise and top-level research coming together. More here

  • • UK Ship Register supports seafarers of the future: The UK Ship Register, renowned as a world class flag bearer for maritime safety and innovation, supports the 2020 prestigious Lloyds List Greek Shipping Awards for the first time. More here

  • • UK Ship Register webinar: The virtual get together launched the Greece Office with over 100 people registered including Minister Robert Courts, and Her Excellency Kate Smith – the British Ambassador in Athens. More here 

  • • HM Coastguard feature in RNLI’s podcast series ‘Lifesavers': Maritime Operations Officer Andy talks about the story behind the day 17-year-old Alfie was rescued. Andy took the 999 Coastguard call to Alfie. Listen on Spotify, Soundcloud, iTunes/Apple and Google

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December 2020 


  • • Long service record: HM Coastguard volunteer from Llandudno Coastguard rescue team retired after an incredible three decades' worth of serviceMore here  

  • • Fishing safety: Our Director of UK Maritime Services, Katy Warespoke at the All Party Parliamentary Fisheries Group online event about improving safety in the fishing industry. More here 

  • • Colin the Coastguard does Christmas: HM Coastguard releases festive activities for the younger generation featuring the 999 Coastguard message. More here

  • • Maritime and Coastguard Agency investigation leads to fine: The owner and operator of two Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) was fined following a collision in which a passenger suffered life-changing injuries. More here 

  • • A world class response to COVID-19: As the year comes to an end, the UK Ship Register reflects on the UK’s response to the exceptional humanitarian challenges that cemented its position as a world class flag bearer for maritime safety. More here

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