On 22nd January, Geoff Matthews of HM Coastguard gave a fascinating talk about the major reforms taking place within the Coastguard service. The changes arise from the advances in information and communications technology over the last 2 decades. It was clear that Geoff firmly believes that the new situation will represent a major step forward. … Continue reading 21st Century Coastguard – the video
Tag: coastguard
Solent collision – official Coastguard video
Official Coastguard video of Atalanta of Chester colliding into the Hanne Knutsen in the Solent. Interesting to note the track of the SP launch (ahead of the tanker) which clearly tried to prevent a collision
Coastguard NMOC starts to take shape
Although we shall be losing the Coastguard station at Lee on Solent, the new National Marine Operations Centre to be based at Segensworth, near Fareham will offer fully modern facilities with the Solent area as one of its primary functions. Work has already started on installing, testing and commissioning the new systems on which modern … Continue reading Coastguard NMOC starts to take shape
Changes in Solent Coastguard become clearer
The BBC H2O show has raised the profile of the Coastguard reorganisation debate. There is a BBC article that summarises the position . At Solent Protection Society, we have been concerned about the impact of these changes on Solent users. We went to see Peter Dymond, Chief Coastguard, and an account of that discussion led … Continue reading Changes in Solent Coastguard become clearer
Coastguard debate continues
Richard Drax, the Dorset MP, continues to argue against the Coastguard 'cuts', as reported in a BBC article. We remain concerned about this too, but when we talked to Coastguard, they made a number of points which ought to be taken into account While the control centres are being closed, these have not had visual … Continue reading Coastguard debate continues
National Coastwatch
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
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
Solent Protection Society 