Saturday 30 May 2009 19:49
Maritime And Coastguard Agency (National)
Swansea Coastguard this afternoon co-ordinated the rescue of three men from a sinking speed boat.
The boat started to sink whilst off Sand Point, just by Western-super-Mare. The Western-super-Mare Coastguard Rescue Team and both RNLI Lifeboats raced to their assistance alongside RAF Rescue Helicopter 169 from Chivenor.
David Jones Swansea Coastguard Watch Manager said:
"The gentlemen on the sinking boat phoned a relative for help, who in turned called the Police. On this occasion we were able to get help to the sinking vessel in time nevertheless, if you do need to report someone in danger on the coast you should call 999 Coastguard."
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Ship sinks off Indonesia's coast, at least 7 dead
29 May 2009, 1319 hrs IST, AP
JAKARTA: Rescuers searched for survivors today after a wooden boat packed with Afghan migrants sank off western Indonesia, killing at least seven people and leaving more than a dozen others missing, the navy said.
Fishermen rescued more than a dozen people from the choppy waters where the boat sank yesterday in the Malacca Strait, about 30 miles (50 km) from land, said Al Muhfid, a navy second lieutenant.
The Afghan men, including several who were badly hurt, told authorities they wanted to seek political asylum in Indonesia because of the security situation in their homeland, he said. Seven were killed and at least 13 were missing, he said.
Muhfid said the migrants had flown from Afghanistan to Malaysia, where human traffickers offered to help them get by boat to Australia, where they hoped to start a new life. Their vessel sank off the coast of Sumatra early yesterday.
Indonesia is increasingly being used as a transit point for illegal migrants from war-ravaged countries like Afghanistan and Iraq. The vast seas surrounding the archipelago are treacherous, particularly during high tides in the tropical rainy season.
Powered by Indiatimes
About Us | Advertise with Us | Careers @ TIL | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Feedback | Sitemap
Copyright © 2009 Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service
R
JAKARTA: Rescuers searched for survivors today after a wooden boat packed with Afghan migrants sank off western Indonesia, killing at least seven people and leaving more than a dozen others missing, the navy said.
Fishermen rescued more than a dozen people from the choppy waters where the boat sank yesterday in the Malacca Strait, about 30 miles (50 km) from land, said Al Muhfid, a navy second lieutenant.
The Afghan men, including several who were badly hurt, told authorities they wanted to seek political asylum in Indonesia because of the security situation in their homeland, he said. Seven were killed and at least 13 were missing, he said.
Muhfid said the migrants had flown from Afghanistan to Malaysia, where human traffickers offered to help them get by boat to Australia, where they hoped to start a new life. Their vessel sank off the coast of Sumatra early yesterday.
Indonesia is increasingly being used as a transit point for illegal migrants from war-ravaged countries like Afghanistan and Iraq. The vast seas surrounding the archipelago are treacherous, particularly during high tides in the tropical rainy season.
Powered by Indiatimes
About Us | Advertise with Us | Careers @ TIL | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Feedback | Sitemap
Copyright © 2009 Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service
R
Ferry fire: 500 evacuated to safety in Italy
More than 500 people were evacuated in lifeboats from an Italian ferry on Friday after a fire broke out in the car hold, officials said.
Last Updated: 6:20PM BST 29 May 2009
The Vincenzo Florio, travelling from Naples to Palermo is hosed with water after fire broke out on board near the Sicilian port city of Palermo, Italy Photo: EPA
The Vincenzo Florio, travelling from Naples to Palermo, was 25 miles from the Sicilian capital when the fire broke out early on Friday.
The 526 passengers used lifeboats to reach another ferry and a Coast Guard ship that came to the rescue, said Cosimo Seminara, a port official in Palermo.
"They knocked on the door of the cabin and told us to get on deck," passenger Stefano Friscia told Sky TG 24 television. "It was hard to breathe, the whole ship filled with smoke and they ordered the lifeboats lowered."
Five passengers, including a pregnant woman, were taken to a hospital as a precaution.
The cause of the fire was still being investigated. Initially, most of the 35 crew members stayed aboard to help firefighters extinguish the blaze, Mr Seminara said.
However, the captain later ordered a complete evacuation because the flames were spreading, said Roberto Ardizzone, a spokesman for Sicily's firefighters.
The ship, which belongs to the Italian ferry company Tirrenia di Navigazione SpA, was being towed and was expected to reach Palermo later Friday.
Mr Ardizzone said the fire was still raging in the car hold and firefighters would have a better chance to stop it once the ship was in port.
Last Updated: 6:20PM BST 29 May 2009
The Vincenzo Florio, travelling from Naples to Palermo is hosed with water after fire broke out on board near the Sicilian port city of Palermo, Italy Photo: EPA
The Vincenzo Florio, travelling from Naples to Palermo, was 25 miles from the Sicilian capital when the fire broke out early on Friday.
The 526 passengers used lifeboats to reach another ferry and a Coast Guard ship that came to the rescue, said Cosimo Seminara, a port official in Palermo.
"They knocked on the door of the cabin and told us to get on deck," passenger Stefano Friscia told Sky TG 24 television. "It was hard to breathe, the whole ship filled with smoke and they ordered the lifeboats lowered."
Five passengers, including a pregnant woman, were taken to a hospital as a precaution.
The cause of the fire was still being investigated. Initially, most of the 35 crew members stayed aboard to help firefighters extinguish the blaze, Mr Seminara said.
However, the captain later ordered a complete evacuation because the flames were spreading, said Roberto Ardizzone, a spokesman for Sicily's firefighters.
The ship, which belongs to the Italian ferry company Tirrenia di Navigazione SpA, was being towed and was expected to reach Palermo later Friday.
Mr Ardizzone said the fire was still raging in the car hold and firefighters would have a better chance to stop it once the ship was in port.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Coast Guard assists sinking catamaran near Deep Creek Locks in Chesapeake, Va.
Date: May 28, 2009
PORTSMOUTH, Va. - A Coast Guard rescue boat crew from Station Portsmouth assisted two adults, three children and a dog aboard a catamaran taking on water near the Deep Creek Locks in Chesapeake Thursday afternoon.
The owner of the 38-foot catamaran Hull-a-balloo called watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads at approximately 11:40 a.m. stating that he was taking on approximately 200 gallons of water per minute after alliding with a log while transiting the Dismal Swamp Canal. The owner and four passengers were able to keep up with the flooding using an onboard bilge pump and hand pumps, but were unable to get all of the water out.
The 25-foot rescue boat crew arrived on scene at 12:26 p.m. and transferred two crewmembers and a gasoline-powered P-6 dewatering pump onboard the Hull-a-balloo and quickly removed the water. The Coast Guardsmen remained onboard, monitoring the crack in the hull and operating the pump as necessary, until the vessel arrived at Ocean Marine and was hauled in by dock workers there.
"When we arrived on scene all five of them were wearing their life jackets - even the dog had a life jacket," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher Jones, the rescue boat crew coxswain. "It's always important to wear a life jacket out on the water, especially in a case like this, because you never know what's going to happen or what could go wrong."
PORTSMOUTH, Va. - A Coast Guard rescue boat crew from Station Portsmouth assisted two adults, three children and a dog aboard a catamaran taking on water near the Deep Creek Locks in Chesapeake Thursday afternoon.
The owner of the 38-foot catamaran Hull-a-balloo called watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads at approximately 11:40 a.m. stating that he was taking on approximately 200 gallons of water per minute after alliding with a log while transiting the Dismal Swamp Canal. The owner and four passengers were able to keep up with the flooding using an onboard bilge pump and hand pumps, but were unable to get all of the water out.
The 25-foot rescue boat crew arrived on scene at 12:26 p.m. and transferred two crewmembers and a gasoline-powered P-6 dewatering pump onboard the Hull-a-balloo and quickly removed the water. The Coast Guardsmen remained onboard, monitoring the crack in the hull and operating the pump as necessary, until the vessel arrived at Ocean Marine and was hauled in by dock workers there.
"When we arrived on scene all five of them were wearing their life jackets - even the dog had a life jacket," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher Jones, the rescue boat crew coxswain. "It's always important to wear a life jacket out on the water, especially in a case like this, because you never know what's going to happen or what could go wrong."
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Fatality after boat hits island in darkness
Tuesday 19 May 2009 04:22
Maritime And Coastguard Agency (National)
At 11.30 pm yesterday evening, Clyde Coastguard were alerted by members of the public to a speedboat which had gone out from Tobermory and a loud bang had been heard with a light flashing afterwards in the darkness.
Immediately the Coastguard put an emergency response into action and contacted nearby vessels to see if they could spot or hear anything on the emergency VHF Channel 16 locally.
The Coastguard were then alerted by the boat's occupants that the 6.5 metre blue rigid hulled inflatable boat had hit the north end of Calve Island, and that one of the four individuals on board was seriously injured with head injuries. He was not conscious. Two other men on board the boat were reported to have suffered minor head injuries. All of the four were on holiday in the area at the time.
The weather on scene was flat calm and some light rain.
All of the men on board were wearing dry suits but no lifejackets. The vessel was by this time on rocks in Tobermory Bay and had lost all electrics. No other vessel could be seen around them. A rescue helicopter - R177 - from the Royal Naval Air Station at Prestwick was scrambled and the Tobermory lifeboat was also requested to launch. The Tobermory Coastguard Rescue Team were also sent to the area.
The Coastguard then instructed the boats occupants to use a torch to shine towards lifeboat to direct them onto the wrecked boat. An ambulance had also been directed towards the lifeboat station. All of the men were then brought ashore by lifeboat.
Once ashore, paramedics and a doctor continued to work on the middle aged man but to no avail, and he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
The remaining men were taken by ambulance to hospital on Mull for further treatment.
Tarilk Yassin, Watch Manager at Clyde Coastguard said
"The Police have been informed and are currently on scene investigating the incident."
Maritime And Coastguard Agency (National)
At 11.30 pm yesterday evening, Clyde Coastguard were alerted by members of the public to a speedboat which had gone out from Tobermory and a loud bang had been heard with a light flashing afterwards in the darkness.
Immediately the Coastguard put an emergency response into action and contacted nearby vessels to see if they could spot or hear anything on the emergency VHF Channel 16 locally.
The Coastguard were then alerted by the boat's occupants that the 6.5 metre blue rigid hulled inflatable boat had hit the north end of Calve Island, and that one of the four individuals on board was seriously injured with head injuries. He was not conscious. Two other men on board the boat were reported to have suffered minor head injuries. All of the four were on holiday in the area at the time.
The weather on scene was flat calm and some light rain.
All of the men on board were wearing dry suits but no lifejackets. The vessel was by this time on rocks in Tobermory Bay and had lost all electrics. No other vessel could be seen around them. A rescue helicopter - R177 - from the Royal Naval Air Station at Prestwick was scrambled and the Tobermory lifeboat was also requested to launch. The Tobermory Coastguard Rescue Team were also sent to the area.
The Coastguard then instructed the boats occupants to use a torch to shine towards lifeboat to direct them onto the wrecked boat. An ambulance had also been directed towards the lifeboat station. All of the men were then brought ashore by lifeboat.
Once ashore, paramedics and a doctor continued to work on the middle aged man but to no avail, and he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
The remaining men were taken by ambulance to hospital on Mull for further treatment.
Tarilk Yassin, Watch Manager at Clyde Coastguard said
"The Police have been informed and are currently on scene investigating the incident."
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Fishing vessel sinks off Sound of Harris
Wednesday 13 May 2009 19:02
Maritime And Coastguard Agency (National)
Stornoway Coastguard Rescue Helicopter went to assist a sinking fishing vessel this afternoon and while deploying a pump from the helicopter both the fisherman and the winchman both went in the water as the vessel sank under them.
At 4.39pm Stornoway Coastguard was contacted by the skipper of a near by fishing vessel Phoenix reporting that the 11 metre fishing vessel Kalahari was sinking. Stornoway Coastguard immediately sent the Coastguard Rescue helicopter to the scene with pumping equipment.
The winchman from the Coastguard Rescue helicopter went down onto the deck of Kalahari with the Coastguard pump but unfortunately they were not able to control the ingress of water and the vessel has sunk.
The fisherman and winchman were taken back into the helicopter and returned to Stornoway where the casualty can be assessed for hypothermia at the Western Isles Hospital.
Stornoway Coastguard Rescue Helicopter has been scrambled twice today and this now pushes the total number of search and rescue missions for the helicopter above 3,000 missions.
Maritime And Coastguard Agency (National)
Stornoway Coastguard Rescue Helicopter went to assist a sinking fishing vessel this afternoon and while deploying a pump from the helicopter both the fisherman and the winchman both went in the water as the vessel sank under them.
At 4.39pm Stornoway Coastguard was contacted by the skipper of a near by fishing vessel Phoenix reporting that the 11 metre fishing vessel Kalahari was sinking. Stornoway Coastguard immediately sent the Coastguard Rescue helicopter to the scene with pumping equipment.
The winchman from the Coastguard Rescue helicopter went down onto the deck of Kalahari with the Coastguard pump but unfortunately they were not able to control the ingress of water and the vessel has sunk.
The fisherman and winchman were taken back into the helicopter and returned to Stornoway where the casualty can be assessed for hypothermia at the Western Isles Hospital.
Stornoway Coastguard Rescue Helicopter has been scrambled twice today and this now pushes the total number of search and rescue missions for the helicopter above 3,000 missions.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Yacht calls for assistance from Falmouth Coastguard mid Atlantic in very heavy weather
London, 1 May/GNN/ --
MARITIME AND COASTGUARD AGENCY News Release (Duty Notice 1) issued by COI
News Distribution Service on 1 May 2009
In the very early hours of this morning, Falmouth Coastguard received an
emergency call from the yacht 'Fleur' which, in very poor conditions, had
suffered a partial knockdown with three men on board heading for Nuuk in
Greenland from Falmouth.
They had left Cornwall on the 21st of April and they are around 800 miles
from Greenland at present.
Their estimated date of arrival was the 5th May and the vessel is described
as a 40 foot Island Packet 380 cutter with a UK registered Emergency Position
Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB).
The call indicated that they had lost all their instrumentation but still
had a hand held global positioning device and paper charts.
The crew skipper had taken a knock to his head, and they reported that they had
a liferaft and two satellite phones on board. They also had flares on board.
They described the weather as very rough with Force 11 winds, with average
speeds of above 60 knots, and waves of between 20 and 30 feet.
Initially it was agreed that contact every three hours between the vessel
and Falmouth would be maintained.
During the next early morning call, the skipper indicated he was very tired
having had only two hours sleep and that the vessel had lost its spray hood. A
weather forecast of the area was then supplied. They then suffered a further
knock down.
The crew indicated at that time that their intentions were to sit out the
bad weather and then head back east towards Ireland.
By mid morning today the crew reported that the vessel had had superficial
damage and had suffered a small amount of water ingress, but that their mast
was still intact.
By midday however on the next call after suffering further knockdowns the
skipper indicated that he had had enough and wished to abandon the vessel
with his crew.
Falmouth then began to search for other vessels that would have been able
to come to their assistance and also various rescue helicopter ranges as the
vessel was at that point still over 300 nautical miles west of the Irish coast.
The Irish Coastguard which had been contacted earlier alerting them to the
plight of the crew offered a fixed wing aircraft to go to the position of
the 'Fleur' whilst other vessels including a tanker `Yellowstone' contacted
Falmouth offering assistance, although none were in close proximity to the
distressed yacht at that time.
The offer from the tanker was accepted and co-ordinates were given to the
Master where to rendezvous with the yacht.
By 5.30 pm this evening the tanker 'Yellowstone' was 19 nautical miles away
from the yacht and had managed to make contact with them via VHF radio and
the Irish fixed wing aircraft who had been monitoring the situation overhead
and in contact via the air rescue co-ordination centre at Kinloss was released
with grateful thanks.
The tanker `Yellowstone' is due on scene with the yacht `Fleur' around 9.00
pm this evening.
The crews shore side contacts have been made aware of the developing situation.
Andy Cattrell, Falmouth Coastguard Watch Manager said
"We are respecting the wishes of the skipper and his crew to come off their
damaged yacht. These are likely to be a very difficult manoeuvresand we
will offer every practical help we can, but from this distance it will be
the seamanship of both the Master and yacht crew that will be crucial in
this lifesaving action in very heavy seas."
MARITIME AND COASTGUARD AGENCY News Release (Duty Notice 1) issued by COI
News Distribution Service on 1 May 2009
In the very early hours of this morning, Falmouth Coastguard received an
emergency call from the yacht 'Fleur' which, in very poor conditions, had
suffered a partial knockdown with three men on board heading for Nuuk in
Greenland from Falmouth.
They had left Cornwall on the 21st of April and they are around 800 miles
from Greenland at present.
Their estimated date of arrival was the 5th May and the vessel is described
as a 40 foot Island Packet 380 cutter with a UK registered Emergency Position
Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB).
The call indicated that they had lost all their instrumentation but still
had a hand held global positioning device and paper charts.
The crew skipper had taken a knock to his head, and they reported that they had
a liferaft and two satellite phones on board. They also had flares on board.
They described the weather as very rough with Force 11 winds, with average
speeds of above 60 knots, and waves of between 20 and 30 feet.
Initially it was agreed that contact every three hours between the vessel
and Falmouth would be maintained.
During the next early morning call, the skipper indicated he was very tired
having had only two hours sleep and that the vessel had lost its spray hood. A
weather forecast of the area was then supplied. They then suffered a further
knock down.
The crew indicated at that time that their intentions were to sit out the
bad weather and then head back east towards Ireland.
By mid morning today the crew reported that the vessel had had superficial
damage and had suffered a small amount of water ingress, but that their mast
was still intact.
By midday however on the next call after suffering further knockdowns the
skipper indicated that he had had enough and wished to abandon the vessel
with his crew.
Falmouth then began to search for other vessels that would have been able
to come to their assistance and also various rescue helicopter ranges as the
vessel was at that point still over 300 nautical miles west of the Irish coast.
The Irish Coastguard which had been contacted earlier alerting them to the
plight of the crew offered a fixed wing aircraft to go to the position of
the 'Fleur' whilst other vessels including a tanker `Yellowstone' contacted
Falmouth offering assistance, although none were in close proximity to the
distressed yacht at that time.
The offer from the tanker was accepted and co-ordinates were given to the
Master where to rendezvous with the yacht.
By 5.30 pm this evening the tanker 'Yellowstone' was 19 nautical miles away
from the yacht and had managed to make contact with them via VHF radio and
the Irish fixed wing aircraft who had been monitoring the situation overhead
and in contact via the air rescue co-ordination centre at Kinloss was released
with grateful thanks.
The tanker `Yellowstone' is due on scene with the yacht `Fleur' around 9.00
pm this evening.
The crews shore side contacts have been made aware of the developing situation.
Andy Cattrell, Falmouth Coastguard Watch Manager said
"We are respecting the wishes of the skipper and his crew to come off their
damaged yacht. These are likely to be a very difficult manoeuvresand we
will offer every practical help we can, but from this distance it will be
the seamanship of both the Master and yacht crew that will be crucial in
this lifesaving action in very heavy seas."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
