Coastwatch – keeping us safe on the water Coastwatch is a voluntary organisation that seeks to provide visual coverage of activity on the water to identify accidents and dangerous situations. . There are now 49 manned stations along the UK coast, and the number is growing. Four stations are in the Solent at the Needles, … Continue reading National Coastwatch
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The Fastnet – at night!
Even though it spreads right along the South Coast and across the Irish sea, we tend to think of the Fastnet Race as a Solent event. The image on the right shows most of the fleet, beating past the Lizard, round Lands End and up through the channel past the Scillies, or passing south of … Continue reading The Fastnet – at night!
Marine activities of the Coastguard
Marine Activities The situation is that there were 18 Marine Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCC) (already reduced to 15), grouped into pairs. (Lee on Solent and Portland are a pair) This is so that resources can be shared. If any one of the coordination centres becomes overloaded or possibly even goes out of action (possibly because … Continue reading Marine activities of the Coastguard
Pertinent questions of the Coastguard
“Will I continue to call Solent Coastguard on channel 67?” If you use the call sign “Solent Coastguard” you will be answered. “What will be the timing and content of VHF weather forecasts?” There should be no change. However the confusion which sometimes arises when both Portland and Lee on Solent are listing the various … Continue reading Pertinent questions of the Coastguard
Airborne activities of the Coastguard
Air Borne Activities The changes in the air borne assets that will be available to Coastguard arise from a decision by the Ministry of Defence to withdraw from civil search and rescue. As has been announced, from 2015, military SAR helicopters will be replaced by civilian SAR helicopters under a contract let by government to … Continue reading Airborne activities of the Coastguard
Coastal activities of the Coastguard
Coastal Activities There will be no downsizing of the 356 Coastguard Rescue Teams around the UK coast as a result of the current reorganisation programme. In the Solent the teams based at Hillhead, Selsey, Hayling, Portsmouth, Lymington, Southampton, Bembridge Newport, Ventnor, Ryde and Needles will continue to provide the same coastal search, rope, mud and shallow … Continue reading Coastal activities of the Coastguard
ITER fusion dream
Nuclear fusion has been a dream for decades. It reproduces the nuclear processes that power the Sun, and offers the prospect of limitless electricity without generating nuclear waste. But it is still decades away. The tantalising prospect could mean that we only need to bridge from now till fusion is a commercial reality. But can … Continue reading ITER fusion dream
Nab Makeover
The Nab Tower is being given a major overhaul. Click here for details
Park and Sail in Portsmouth
A new park and ride ferry service from the Portsmouth International port to Gunwharf Quay has been so successful that an additional boat has been added. Is this a trend that could be copied eksehere in the Solent?
Marine Planning Strategic Scoping Report Published
A report on key marine activities has been published today by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO). The Strategic Scoping Report (SSR) identifies natural resources and activities – both recreational and industrial – in England’s marine area, and will inform marine plans that are being developed to shape the future of our seas. The SSR is … Continue reading Marine Planning Strategic Scoping Report Published
Solent Protection Society 