The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is reminding boat users to look very carefully at their plans in advance of a strike called by the Public and Commercial Services Union which will affect Coastguard Stations around the UK next week (8th – 9th March).
Contingency arrangements are in place to ensure that the MCA will continue to provide an Emergency service. The industrial action is by those responsible for co-ordinating rescues. The rescuers themselves will continue to operate as normal.
The Agency is therefore reminding the public to take extra care whilst on the sea, beach or cliffs.Five of 19 maritime rescue coordination centres (MRCC), including Belfast and Brixham, are non-operational today as Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union members stage a one-day strike over pay.
The Dover Strait Traffic Separation Scheme is being monitored by French Coastguard for the day and a strategic support centre based in Highcliffe, Dorset is backing up the operational MRCC's - many of which are under-manned.
A spokesman for the MCA said there have been no incidents so far.
The strike follows protests about what staff say is "poverty pay", while managers say they are bound by public sector pay constraints.
Etiquetas: MCA
Obviamente los ingleses han detenido al Baltiyskiy 110, nada como un buen trapo para tapar el agujero, total es un tanque de lastre.

Etiquetas: Barcos, MCA, safety
Privatiza, que algo queda.
Actualmente en la Pérfida Albión, el servicio SAR lo prestan conjuntamente los helicópteros del Ministerio de Defensa, (con los Sea King de la Royal Navy y de la Royal Air Force), y los helicópteros civiles del MCA (AW 139 y S92) contratados por el Ministerio de Transportes. Tras esta etapa de transición (desde 2006), todos estaban a la espera de saber, qué operador privado se iba a adjudicar el contrato para los próximos 25 años (valorado en 6 billones de libras).
Ayer, el Gobierno ingles anunciaba que Soteria (CHC, Thales, Sikorsky y el Royal Bank of Scotland) se llevaba el gato al agua. El Ministerio de Defensa paga dos tercios y el de Transportes, el tercio restante. Los helicópteros volaran bajo la bandera del MCA (UKCG) del Ministerio de Transportes.
El servicio homogéneo para todo el país, se espera comience en 2012, implantándose primero en las 4 bases del MCA, ya operadas por helicópteros contratados a CHC, para luego pasar a las 8 bases del Ministerio de Defensa.
Las 12 bases, que serán operativas las 24 horas, contaran, cada una de ellas, con 2 helicópteros Sikorsky S-92A, que aunque volaran para el MCA, cambiaran el blanco y rojo por el negro y amarillo que tiene mayor visibilidad, ademas, llevaran las insignias de la RN, RAF y MCA, para que nadie se cele.
El contrato exige que los helicópteros despeguen en 15 minutos de día y en 45 de noche, debiendo llegar a los puntos de muy alto riesgo en 60 minutos, además el contratista deberá poder prestar 12 misiones SAR simultaneas.
Bonus:
Soteria en el Nuevo Testamento.
(I) Soteria es utilizada con respecto a la "salvación de nuestros enemigos (Lc. 1:69; 71; Hch. 7:25; Jud. 25). Notemos que todos estos pasajes tienen un trasfondo característico del Antiguo Testamento.
(II) Tanto el nombre como el verbo se usan con referencia a la "seguridad y salud corporal". Por ejemplo, la preservación de Pablo del naufragio (Hch. 27:20, 34) y la construcción del arca de Noé para salvación de éste y su familia (He. 11:7).

Al propietario de una " Golondrina ™ " inglesa le han caído 6 meses de cárcel y 8500 £ de multa, por tener caducada la revisión de una balsa y su zafa hidrostática. Además tenia la fecha cambiada con Dymo ™.
Los ingleses no me dejan de sorprender, anuncian que van a retirar dos lanchas de rescate que no reúnen las mejores condiciones en la zona sur, abren consultas y preguntan a sus ciudadanos si en su opinión, la zona quedará cubierta con las restantes, cuales son los riesgos que ellos aprecian y como afrontarlos.
Ha ocurrido en el Pride of Bilbao, una parturienta de 38 años ha dado a luz a un bebe prematuro en el viaje a Bilbao, el médico del buque, tras comprobar que no eran de Bilbao, Bilbao, decidió que lo mejor era evacuar al recién nacido y a su madre, así que un AW-139 del MCA despegó de la base de Lee on Solent y se llevo a los dos al hospital.

George Wood ha recibido una multa de 1000 libras por patronear bebido el Honeybourne III, tras pedir socorro sus 7 tripulantes fueron recogidos por otro pesquero, el tal George perdió su empleo y posiblemente su licencia. Faltaban los municipales para llevarse el pesquero con la grúa.

"Seeing the world-famous Red Ensign flying over the Department also acts as reminder of those seamen who have given more than just their time to the Merchant Navy. In the Second World War alone, more than 20,000 men and women lost their lives working to keep us supplied with the means to fight and survive.
"But today is also about the future. I am delighted by the encouraging rise we have recently seen in the number of new Merchant Navy trainees - almost one thousand cadets began training last year compared to around six hundred five years ago. This is alongside a considerable rise in the number of vessels on the UK Ship Register, which has been achieved without compromising safety. All this points towards a very bright future for commercial shipping in the UK."
Etiquetas: Falta de Marinos, MCA
Tras dos años y medio, los ingleses dan por finalizado el caso del MSC Napoli con la retirada de los últimos restos
Nota de PrensaEtiquetas: Accidentes, MCA, portacontenedores
El Capitan del supply "Vos Viper" ha sido condenado por permitir borrachos a bordo. La historia tiene más miga; llegaron con el remolcador a Lerwick para reparar la radio y aprovechando que estaban en puerto, salieron a celebrar un cumpleaños del primero. Al volver, el primero se fué a hacer un café, cayó por la escalera y se mató. Nota de prensa del MCA.
Etiquetas: Accidentes, MCA, remolcadores
Los pescadores franceses andan revueltos, algo piden, pero los medios españoles no se hacen eco de la situación, primero bloquearon los puertos galos y ahora han dado un paso más y están concentrándose en la parte estrecha del Canal de Mancha (Dover) para cortar el tráfico (Ver en el AIS el hueco creado en la ruta norte). De momento, 31 pesqueros navegan en línea a 1 nudo organizando una marcha caracol que amenaza con colapsar el tráfico. Desde Dover, el MCA está emitiendo radioavisos sobre la situación, recordando el asalto de las fuerzas especiales a los huelguistas que habían secuestrado el ferry de Córcega o las últimas acciones contra los reconvertidos marinos somalíes veremos como acaba la fiesta.
An investigation by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) revealed that although the ship only had a crew of seven, the watchkeeper was alone on the bridge. as the Captain had instructed that the seaman were to be used as day workers and not stand a watch. It also showed that about three months before the incident, during a Port state Control at Moerdijk, Netherlands on the 2nd November 2006, the vessel was warned that a lookout as required by the STCW Code was required during the hours of darkness.
Etiquetas: Accidentes, MCA
Noticia veraniega digna del 20 minutos o de cualquier gratuito, una pareja que está haciendo el Ganso en Las Orcadas, es atacada por una bandada de "págalos grandes", acaban perdidos, pasando frio y con un tobillo cascado. Un helicóptero del CG es enviado a la escena y llama, o por lo menos a mí me llamó la atención, el sistema busqueda empleado.
Parece que los ingleses tienen bastante claras algunas ideas, pero lo que da muestra de como son nuestros vecinos, es que contemplan dos opciones, habilmente numeradas como 1 y 2. Y la Opción 1 no tiene desperdicio, lo peor es que algunos países solo contemplaran la primera opción.
Regulatory Impact Assessment (Beacons: Automatic Identification Systems) 6 páginas en pdf.
Etiquetas: MCA
June 08 2006 Lloyds List
BRITAIN yesterday warned Brussels against pushing for the creation of a European coastguard and a European Union flag as the European Commission revealed a key document on the future direction of maritime policy.
An EU register and a common coastguard, both raised for discussion in the maritime "green paper", would not be supported by London, said UK shipping minister Stephen Ladyman.
"The paper provides a platform for a wide-ranging debate of maritime issues," Dr Ladyman told Lloyd's List while visiting the Posidonia exhibition in Athens.
"But it will be important to focus on priorities - areas where there is a proven need for intervention at European level, where the EU can really add value."
The minister welcomed the green paper's call for EU ships to be of high quality, with highly qualified seafarers working in the best of conditions.
But he warned: "Member states can share this common objective, determined to enforce international standards and penalise those who do not comply, without creating a single European flag or, for that matter, a European coastguard."
The wide-ranging document, launched in Brussels by maritime affairs commissioner Joe Borg and commission president Jose Barroso, devoted almost two pages to the concept of a European coastguard.
"The degree of integration of government functions relating to territorial waters and exclusive economic zones varies between member states," it read.
"In some cases, a single authority [coastguard, police or armed forces] is responsible for almost all functions. A move towards more co-ordination between these activities and among member states might further integration and make for greater efficiency."
The document's authors continued: "The European Parliament and the council have made reference to the establishment of synergies between enforcement authorities. The commission was invited to submit by the end of 2006 a feasibility study on a European coastguard service.
"The trend on the seas seems likewise to be towards a common EU maritime space, governed by the same rules on safety, security, environmental protection."
On the EU flag, the green paper raised the question: "Should an optional EU register be made available? What conditions and incentives could be contemplated for such a register?"
Other controversial issues were raised, including the future of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the "problematic" home residency status of ships' crews, alleged dumping by Asian shipyards, pollution caused by shipbreaking in south Asia and the exclusion of maritime sectors from European labour and social legislation on collective redundancies and transfer of under-takings.
"The green paper has a broad approach raising a variety of issues and questions some of which may be controversial," said the European Community Ship Owners' Association. "It is evident that each of them needs to be assessed and considered in more detail."
By covering many of the issues facing the maritime industry and personally endorsing the green paper put together by Mr Borg, Mr Barroso did nothing to dispel the impression that transport commissioner Jacques Barrot's grip on the industry is weakening.
Mr Barroso said he "would not hesitate" to propose the EU flag, the coastguard and a new maritime affairs ministry for the commission if they were deemed necessary after the consultation phase, which is due to last a year.
Etiquetas: MCA

Etiquetas: MCA

Etiquetas: MCA
Etiquetas: MCA, Navegacion

Etiquetas: MCA
Etiquetas: Accidentes, MCA

Etiquetas: MCA
THE master of the UK emergency towing vesselwhich ran aground off the Shetlands on September 3, faced five charges at a court in Lerwick last week.
Peter Leask, 42, entered no plea to the charges which included being three times over the legal blood alcohol limit, contrary to the Railways and Transoport Act 2003. He was also charged on three counts under the Merchant Shipping Act and one count under the 1974 Control of Pollution Act.
The vessel was damaged and spilt about 200 tons of gas oil. It is owned Klyne Tugs of Lowestoft and operated under contract to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch is also investigating the incident.
Etiquetas: Accidentes, MCA, remolcadores
Date & Place of detention: 25/05/2005 - Sheerness
Vessel Name: WALINI (Refrigerated Cargo) 3801 GT
IMO No: 7916454
Flag: Morocco
Company: Company de Transport Maritime SA, Casablanca, Morocco
Classification Society: Bureau Veritas
Summary: Still under detention at the end of May. 43 recorded deficiencies. MF/HF and VHF aerials defective. Maintenance of Ship and equipment inadequate and number of deficiencies suggest on board safety management procedures insufficient to ensure compliance with International requirements. Numerous defects with lifeboats. Insufficient food on board for intended voyage, and storage facilities for provisions unhygienic and in need of repair. Sanitary conditions for crew poor – 4 showers and 2 toilets to repair and all facilities required cleaning. No charts available for area of operations and Notice to Mariners not up to date. Passage plan not berth to berth.
They paint a shocking picture of staff shortages, inexperience and incompetence.
"We have diluted the aggregate competency in our operations rooms. It suggests that our operations rooms are turning into call centres."
Coastguards are also concerned about failings in the computer database known as the Incident Management System (IMS) - which is used to log incidents coming in.
"Never once have I gone on duty where there has not been at least one major fault on the go."
"The whole system is unreliable and does not allow the extraction of essential data."
Etiquetas: MCA, Nautica Deportiva
Etiquetas: MCA
Etiquetas: MCA, Navegacion
Etiquetas: MCA
Etiquetas: MCA
Etiquetas: MCA
Etiquetas: MCA
Etiquetas: MCA, remolcadores
Etiquetas: Accidentes, MCA