Category: Safety

Flare Amnesty at Pirates Cave Open Day 25 April

PiratesCaveOpenDayPirates Cave’s next open day on Saturday 25 April is expected to be their biggest yet! Twelve companies will be offering demonstrations, advice, and exclusive special offers, only available on the day and in store. Including a FLARE AMNESTY – return your old flares for FREE – one day only! First come first served as they can only take up to 200 flares. Read more about it…

First Aid course at RCPYC, 28 March

FIRST AID course at the Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club, Dover with its spectacular views over the harbour. The course will be run by Dr Bob Hadley, a CA member who sails out of Dover. You will need the latest edition of the First Aid Manual, which can be bought on line for £4.75. The course will run from 9am to 5pm with tea and coffee on arrival and also in the afternoon. Cost including RYA certificate and handouts £22.50 per person. Lunch can be ordered and paid for separately on the day. To BOOK  call Clifford on 07803 727350

Boaters lost in thick fog rescued by RNLI in Swale

Five boaters lost in thick fog were rescued off the Isle of Sheppey by Sheerness RNLI on Monday evening. The group on board the 25ft motorboat contacted the coastguard around 9.30pm after realising that they were lost and moored up to a navigation buoy. The Sheerness inshore lifeboat Eleanor was launched and, despite the visibility of only 50 metres, they soon located the group in the Swale, and escorted the boat to Queenborough Harbour.

Read more …

Next CA Winter Warmer talk is MAIB on 12 Feb

Cruising AssociationClifford Mickleburgh warmly invites us all to the Cruising Association Kent Section winter talks at the Dog and Bear pub, Lenham. The next one is on Thursday, 12th February 2015, 8pm. Admission £3.

Nick Hance, an inspector with the Marine Accident Investigation Branch, has been an Inspector for 14 years. He is also a very experienced sailor. Nick has been involved in the MAIB’s investigations of many accidents involving recreational craft.  Nick will tell us about the role of the MAIB and how it fits into the wider marine safety picture, before concentrating on some case studies.

Questions are encouraged both during and after. I’m sure that Nick will brief us on recent accidents. Perhaps Nick will have news on the dredger that was in collision with the 14 yachts on the River Medway.

Theres a special CA menu of home-cooked meals if you want to come earlier to eat first. Best to phone and order by 5pm to ensure prompt service, so let Clifford know if you are thinking of coming and he’ll send you details. Email Clifford (at) Mickleburgh.me.uk

Demolition started at Kingsnorth Power Station

Kingsnorth Power Station
Photo Wikipedia

Not the chimney, at least not yet! E.ON have not published dates for demolition of the two power station chimneys but Peel Ports Notice to Mariners No 31 defines an exclusion zone 250 metres from the foreshore on Thursday evening from 18:00 to 19:40, when the demolition event will occur, followed by an all clear siren. The river will remain open to navigation.

RNLI yacht sailing safety survey

RNLI Safety SurveyIf you sail a yacht, please complete this survey to help the RNLI, Royal Yachting Association and Maritime and Coastguard Agency improve sailing safety in the UK. The survey is open from Oct 9th – Nov 9th. Follow this link for the survey and for a poster to print and display in your club or marina: http://www.rnliyachting.substance.coop/

Port operator fined following deaths of tug crew

Clydeport Operations Ltd, owned by Peel Ports, have been fined £650,000 for health and safety breaches after the deaths of three tug crewmen. Tug operator Switzer was also fined £1.7m.

In December 2007 the Flying Phantom was one of three tugs assisting the 70,000 tonne cargo ship Red Jasmine as it made its way along the River Clyde. In thick fog, the Flying Phantom called the ship to say they had grounded and the pilot instructed the tug to let go the line. However, the line came taut and the tug was pulled over and capsized – a situation known as “girting”.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency found that there were shortcomings in the application of the Port Marine Safety code in that neither the company secretary, nor the operations/human resources director, received training to adequately fulfil their role as the designated person with responsibility to ensure health and safety. Nevertheless a spokesman for Peel Ports has told the MSBA that no causal link was established between these health and safety breaches and the fatal incident.