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News

In this section, you will find the latest news, press releases and project updates. Sign up to our e-mail list or Twitter feed to receive these updates directly.

18/01/2012 - Public invited to 'unlock' iconic waterway role

The Canal & River Trust (CRT), the charity which takes over British Waterways’ responsibility for 2,000 miles of waterways in England & Wales in April 2012, is today (Monday 16 January) calling on local communities in across the country to get involved in a unique opportunity that will see them carry out an iconic role along their local canal – as a volunteer lock keeper. Read more on the British Waterways website...

18/01/2012 - Crewman pleads guilty of failure to keep a proper lookout

On 17th March 2011 the United Kingdom Registered Fishing Vessel Reliant, BCK101, grounded on Sule Skerry to the South West of the Orkney Islands. Read more on the MCA website...

15/01/2012 - Don’t Jump In – Whatever the circumstances

A dog walk nearly ended in a double tragedy today when an owner jumped into rough seas in an attempt to rescue his six month old puppy. Its believed that the six month-old Springer Spaniel puppy jumped over the sea wall at Dawlish. The owner then tried to rescue the puppy by jumping after it into the water. Luckily a quick thinking member of the public threw a life ring to the owner who was then pulled out of water. Brixham Coastguard Watch Manager Matt Thornhill said:
Were reading wind speeds of Force 6 –7 and so the sea is very rough. At this time of year the sea is also very cold so its a really bad idea to try and rescue a dog from the water yourself. If you do attempt a rescue there is a chance that you will be swept out to sea or get overwhelmed by the cold, rough seas.

Don't jump in, call 999 and ask for the coastguard.

10/01/2012 - Deadline moved for MCZ implementation

The proposed delay in Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) has been called into question. Parliament Under-Secretary for Natural Environment and Fisheries, Richard Benyon MP has announced that the implementation of MCZs – dedicated marine conservation sites around the UK coastline – has been delayed until 2013. The decision behind the delay has been based on what DEFRA states to be ‘limitations in the evidence supporting the MCZ recommendations.’ It means that the public consultation will continue to the end of 2012. Read more on the BSAC website...

04/01/2012 - British Heart Foundation have launched a new Hands-only CPR campaign

The British Heart Foundation (or BHF) is a charity organisation in Britain that funds research, education, care and awareness campaigns aimed to prevent heart diseases. The advert aims to teach people Hands-only CPR in 40 seconds. Watch the advert on the British Heart Foundation website...

28/12/2011 - £100,000 fund to help farmers protect wildlife and manage flood risk

Farmers and rural communities across England are set to benefit from nearly £100,000 to reduce the risk of flooding, maintain farmland and create new wildlife habitats, Environment Minister Richard Benyon announced today as he unveiled the 12 successful projects who bid for Defra funding.

Twelve local Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs) across England have been awarded extra funding to support innovative projects which protect communities or improve the local natural environment. Read more on the Defra website...

22 /12/2011 - Fremantle Express: MAIB Accident Investigation Report

MAIB Report on the investigation of the fatality on board MV Fremantle Express during mooring operations in Veracruz, Mexico on 15 July 2011. Report No 29/2011. Published 22 December 2011. Read more on the MAIB website...

22/12/2011 - RMS Queen Mary 2: MAIB Accident Investigation Report

MAIB Report on the investigation of the catastrophic failure of a capacitor in the aft harmonic filter room on board RMS Queen Mary 2 while approaching Barcelona on 23 September 2010. Report No 28/2011. Read more on the MAIB website...

21/12/2011 - British Waterways urges towpath users to stay safe as winter bites

British Waterways is asking people who use its towpaths to take extra care as wintry conditions finally descend upon many parts of Britain. After a relatively mild start to winter, the organisation that cares for the nation’s canals and rivers is urging people to be alert to the dangers of icy waterways now that freezing conditions are upon us. Towpaths, bridges and lock-sides can become particularly slippery at this time of year and snow can conceal boat mooring rings and ropes, which are easy to trip over. Read more on the British Waterways website...

20/12/2011 - Government responds to consultation

Waterways Minister, Richard Benyon MP, has today (20 December 2012) published the Government’s response to the supplementary consultation on the transfer of British Waterways in England and Wales to the Canal & River Trust. The Government response clarifies a number of technical aspects related to the Transfer Order, and confirms that the new Trust will be subject to the Freedom of Information Act for those statutory functions which it inherits from British Waterways. Read more on the British Waterways website...

17/12/2011 - UK secures victory in EU fisheries negotiations

The UK Government has today secured a victory for the fishing industry by stopping a massive cut in the number of days that fishermen are allowed to spend at sea. UK fishermen were facing devastating reductions to the amount of time they could spend at sea catching their quota as part of the Cod Recovery Plan. The threatened reductions not only put in jeopardy the livelihoods of UK fishermen but would have also led to increased discards.

However, following three weeks of protracted discussions culminating in two days of intense negotiations, the Government successfully convinced the EU Commission that the UK approach to conservation was the right way forward. Read more on the Defra website…

14/12/2011 - Cosco Hong Kong and Zhe Ling Yu Yun 135: MAIB Accident Investigation Report

MAIB Report on the investigation of the collision between the container ship Cosco Hong Kong and the fish transportation vessel Zhe Ling Yu Yun 135 in the East China Sea, resulting in the loss of 11 lives on 6 March 2011. Report No 27/2011. Published 14 December 2011. Read the Report on the MAIB website...

08/12/2011 - Water reform needed to tackle threat of future droughts

Britain faces a future of water shortages, and lasting environmental damage, with some rivers running dry, unless attitudes to water use change, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman cautioned today. Launching a new approach to water management, Mrs Spelman said that severe weather events, population growth and the need to grow more food will all put more pressure on our water supplies. Read more on the Defra website…

08/12/2011 - CMA CGM Platon: MAIB Accident Investigation Report

MAIB Report on the investigation of mv CMA CGM Platon's contact with Bevans Wharf, River Thames on 15 May 2011. Report 26/2011. Read the Report on the MAIB website...

07/12/2011 - Marine Conservation Zone network under threat

As the Government announces as delay in the implementation of Marine Conservation Zones until 2013, BSAC Marine Environment Officer Chris Sweeting reports on the impact of decision. Read more on the BSAC website...

01/12/2011 - Liquid Vortex: MAIB Accident Investigation Report

MAIB Report on the investigation of the serious injury on board the yacht Liquid Vortex on 28 May 2011. Report No 25/2011. Read the Report on the MAIB website...

28/11/2011 - Net hazard warning

Divers have been advised not to dive on the Scylla due to a 150ft net currently entangled on the wreck. The National Marine Aquarium has issued a warning to divers thinking of diving at the Scylla reef site off Plymouth of the presence of a 150ft monofilament gill net covering a large part of the reef making dive conditions extremely dangerous. The Aquarium is strongly advising against any dives over the reef until the situation has been sorted. Read more on the BSAC website...

24/11/2011 - New BSAC Snorkeller Training Programme

Phase one has now been launched. Resources available include new training packs, promotional materials for snorkelling clubs including posters, training progression charts and leaflets. Read more on the BSAC website...

22/11/2011 - Coastguard modernisation proposals confirmed

Plans to modernise the Coastguard have been confirmed by Shipping Minister Mike Penning. The proposals, which were announced for consultation in July, will make the Coastguard better coordinated, more resilient to the challenges of the future and will increase the number of regular coastguard officers working in coastal communities, who provide leadership and support to the volunteers of the Coastguard Rescue Service.
The plans - which will modernise how rescues are coordinated and do not affect the services which go out to perform rescues -will create a nationally networked system of Coastguard coordination centres comprising:

One Maritime Operations Centre, to be established in Fareham, Hants, with a back-up facility at the existing Dover coordination centre, both operating on a 24 hour basis; and
Eight Coastguard Centres, all operated on a 24 hour basis, located at Falmouth, Milford Haven, Holyhead, Belfast, Stornoway, Shetland, Aberdeen and Humber. The station at London is also retained.

Mike Penning said: "After many years of uncertainty, these reforms provide a clear plan for the future of Her Majestys Coastguard. They will deliver a resilient and fully networked national rescue coordination service. They will make much better use of the talents and skills of our Coastguards and will provide more interesting and rewarding work with better pay". Read more on the MCA website...

21/11/2011 - RNLI launches international development programme to help prevent drownings worldwide

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is to start actively stepping-up its overseas work, to help developing search and rescue-related organisations and reduce the estimated 1.2M drownings that occur around the world each year. The charity’s new international development strategy aims to make a significant difference in reducing maritime incidents around the world by delivering a range of services, including consultancy and training, to search and rescue organisations worldwide. Read more on the RNLI website...

21/11/2011 - BSAC signs up to Good Governance in Sport Code

BSAC is among 22 sporting bodies who have signed up to the code of Good Governance in Sport.Coordinated by the Sport Recreation and Alliance, the voluntary code aims to ensure good governance and to support sporting bodies to effectively manage their organisation. Read more on the BSAC website...

18/11/2011 - All welcome to RNLI Annual Lecture: The role of trials and testing in marine safety

Members of the public are invited to attend The RNLI Annual Lecture, held in conjunction with the University of Southampton, on Wednesday 30 November 2011 at 6pm. This year’s lecture, ‘Testing Times: the role of trials and testing in marine safety’ will be delivered by eminent guest speaker Dr Ian Dand FREng. Read more on the RNLI website...

17/11/2011 – MAIB launch safety flyer following the publication of the Our Boy Andrew: MAIB Accident Report

MAIB offer safety information and lessons that can be learnt. Read more on the MAIB website...

17/11/2011 - Our Boy Andrew: MAIB Accident Report

MAIB report on the investigation of a fatal accident to the skipper of fishing vessel Our Boy Andrew, 9 miles east of Eddystone Rocks on 24 March 2011. Read more on the MAIB website...

16/11/2011 - Commodoree Clipper: MAIB Accident Report

MAIB report on the investigation of the fire on the main vehicle deck of the Commodore Clipper while on passage to Portsmouth on the 16th June 2010. Read more on the MAIB website...

15/11/2011 - Written Ministerial Statement on Marine Conservation Zones

The Government’s first step to identifying new Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) in English waters was taken forward through four regional MCZ projects managed by the Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies, who are Natural England and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee. The regional projects provided their recommendations for proposed sites for MCZs, these have been reviewed by the independent Science Advisory Panel (SAP) and their advice to the SNCBs and Defra has been published. Read more on the Defra website…

08/11/2011 – Commercial boat owner pleads guilty

The owner of a Princess 42 luxury motor yacht has pleaded guilty to carrying more people than licensed to do so between Strangford to Peel, Isle of Man. This was a serious breach of the Survey and Certification Regulations and should serve as a reminder to all operators of the dangers of carrying more passengers than the vessel is certificated and equipped to carry. All breaches of the Maritime Regulations are taken seriously by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Read more on the MCA website...

08/11/2011 - Majority of England’s bathing waters meet strict quality standards

A huge majority of England’s bathing waters continue to meet rigorous quality standards, new figures from Defra reveal. Nearly 80 per cent of England’s bathing waters met the tightest guideline standard with close to 98 per cent meeting the European Commission’s minimum water quality threshold in 2011. Read more on the Defra website…

01/11/2011 - Calling all Coasteering providers!

Environmental Health degree student needs your help!. He is researching the current safety practices of Coasteering Providers across the UK and trying to find out your views on the current guidance and regulation with the activity.The survey is anonymous and will not require any personal or business details. Please click on the link to participate with the survey...

31/10/2011 - Flood risk areas prepared for emergencies says independent report

England and Wales are now better prepared than ever to respond to major flooding, says an independent report published today.

10,000 people took part in Britain’s biggest ever civil emergency exercise, Exercise Watermark, last March to test the country’s response to floods. The Exercise Watermark report published today shows that emergency services in areas at risk of flooding are well prepared to keep people safe in a major flood. Defra has awarded £2.5 million in grants to improve emergency responses to floods in the last eighteen months.

These are being used to:

triple the number of boat rescue teams, by April 2012;
provide specialist flood rescue training for emergency responders, including local flood rescue volunteers in flood-risk areas; and
provide vital new equipment such as vehicles, outboard motors and diving equipment.

Flooding Minister, Richard Benyon said:

“We are more prepared than ever to protect peoples’ lives, homes and businesses from the devastating effects of floods. Staging Exercise Watermark was a true test of how we react to flooding and keep people safe and, while there are lessons to be learnt, I’m pleased to say, it is a test we all came through.

“The Government has given £2.5 million to councils and emergency services over the last eighteen months to increase the number of expert flood rescue teams and allow them to buy important equipment. As a result, they are more prepared than ever before to keep people safe when the time comes that they need to act.”

31/10/2011 - Lifejackets for lifesavers - South west RNLI volunteers launch campaign to buy new lifejackets

Volunteers at the 35 RNLI lifeboat stations in the south west are supporting a campaign to raise the £220,000 needed to buy them all new lifejackets. The two brand new types of lifejacket were designed through joint collaboration between the RNLI and the manufacturer to meet the charity’s current search and rescue requirements.

It was back in 1854 that an RNLI Inspector called Captain Ward invented a cork lifejacket that proved a lifesaver on numerous occasions. But since those days, the charity has always looked to advance and improve its safety equipment, from kapok lifejackets to Beaufort lifejackets and the present day design. Read more on the RNLI website...

26/10/2011- RNLI sea safety team hold lifejacket clinic

RNLI Sea Safety team were invited to demonstrate the maintenance of lifejackets. These are relaxed and free lifejacket clinics given by the RNLI voluntary sea safety teams to anyone involved with wearing a lifejacket enabling people to understand the way lifejackets work and how to keep them maintained. Read more on the RNLI website...

26/10/2011 - Facebook to connect communities at risk of flooding

A new support network for those affected by and at risk of flooding has been created on Facebook. Flood Group UK is a new page to help communities at risk of flooding to support each other. The group is being launched today by government organisations and flood forums from across the UK. With around 5.4 million properties in the UK at risk of flooding, it is important that individuals and communities take steps to prepare themselves for flooding as winter approaches.

Flood Group UK enables communities to share information, experiences and advice about flooding. It also contains a flood directory with information on how to find out if you are at risk of flooding, how to sign up for free flood warnings and what simple steps you can take to protect your property. Read more on the EA Website...

21/10/2011 – RNLI urges people to put safety first this October half term

The RNLI Divisional Lifeguard Manager for Cornwall, said: ‘We’d recommend that beach users choose a lifeguarded beach and follow the lifeguards’ advice. Those who can’t make it to a lifeguarded beach can help keep themselves safe by taking note of the safety signage at the entrance to the beach, going with a friend or telling someone on the shore where they are going, at the same time always being aware of the conditions and their own capabilities in the water. Those who enjoy walking and exploring the coastline should also check the local tide times’. Read more on the RNLI website...

15/10/2011 – Coastguard remind leisure boat users to be prepared

Following three separate incidents within an hour of each other the Coastguard have reminded leisure boat users to be better prepared when putting to sea, reiterating safety measures. Remember to:
• Always wear a lifejacket
• Get trained - knowledge of your activity is essential
• Carry some means of calling for help
• Check your engine and fuel
• Check the weather and tide conditions before heading out
• Tell others where you are going.

13/10/2011 - Sapphire II and Silver Chord: MAIB Accident Investigation Report

MAIB report on the investigation into the collision between the fishing vessels Sapphire II and Silver Chord, resulting in the foundering of Sapphire II off Stornoway, Scotland on 12 January 2011. Report No 21/2011. Read the Report on the MAIB website...

13/10/2011 - The 2011 British Waterways annual meeting

The British Waterways annual meeting w as held on Thursday 13th October. The focus of this year's meeting was BW's move to charitable status – the Canal & River Trust - in April 2012. Read more on the British Waterways website...

13/10/2011 - Philipp and Lynn Marie: MAIB Accident Investigation Report

MAIB report on the collision between MV Philipp and FV Lynn Marie, 6nm south of the Isle of Man on 9 April 2011. Report No 20/2011. Read the Report on the MAIB website...

10/10/2011 - Whole-Body Vibration: Guidance on mitigating against the effects of shocks and impacts on small vessels.

This guidance note provides guidance on mitigating, where there is a risk of injury, the effects of whole body vibration on small vessels, and in particular severe shocks as a result of impacts.

Guidance is provided to assist in improving the design of vessels to reduce the severity of the impact and to provide a suitable postural position for those onboard to enable them to brace effectively.

There is also guidance for operators on reducing the impact through training, pre-departure briefing and ensuring that the vessel is operated considering the demographic and medical history of those onboard. Advice is provided on the correct posture to take when you are likely to be exposed to shocks as a result of impacts. Read the Guidance on the MCA website...

06/10/2011 - MAIB Accident Investigation Report: Cardiff Bay Yacht Club RIBs

MAIB report on the investigation of the collision between two Cardiff Bay Yacht Club RIBs on 27 October 2010, resulting in injuries to three students. Report No 19/2011. Published 6 October 2011. Read the Report on the MAIB website...

04/10/2011 - Temporary and Demountable Flood Protection Guidance 2010 is updated

Defra’s strategy for managing flood risk in England as outlined in ‘Making Space for Water’ calls for a portfolio of measures for managing flood risk. Temporary and demountable systems are increasingly forming an important part of this portfolio. Following publication of the Interim Guidance on the use of Temporary and Demountable Flood Defences by the Environment Agency in 2002, there have been many advances in the variety and forms of flood products available. To capture information on new products, associated developments and lessons learnt from use since 2002 the Environment Agency commissioned this update of the interim guidance. Read the guidance on the EA website...

04/10/2011 - The new BSAC Snorkeller training programme

The 31st October is the official launch date for BSAC’s new Snorkeller Training Programme for branches. Bringing all the current training materials up-to-date, with new training packs, Instructor Manual and resources, the BSAC Snorkeller Training Programme will enable even more BSAC clubs to provide snorkel training and bring more young people and families into BSAC. Read more on the BSAC website...

01/10/2011 - MAIB Safety Digest: Lessons from Marine Accidents 2/2011 is published

The MAIB's compendium of anonymous accident summaries and safety lessons learned was published on 1 October 2011. This Safety Digest draws the attention of the marine community to some of the lessons arising from investigations into recent accidents and incidents. Read the report on the MAIB website...