Proposals to close Northern Ireland's only coastguard control centre "will not diminish safety" at sea, according to the head of the UK's Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

The Irish Independent reports that Vice-Admiral Sir Alan Massey insisted coastal emergency services would be "enhanced" under plans to streamline the British coastguard station network.

Nineteen stations will be reduced to just two 24-hour centres - in the south of England and at Aberdeen on Scotland's east coast. Five day-only centres would also be retained, with one located at either Liverpool or Bangor.

The MCA chief executive said that local knowledge could be enhanced by centres providing services over a larger area.

But a union representative accused the MCA of proposing a skeleton service that could put lives in jeopardy.

Ian Graham of the NI branch of the Public and Commercial Services Union, which represents staff at the Bangor centre, said: ""All the knowledge that people in the station have will be lost forever and that will put everyone who uses the sea and inland waterways at risk."

The Irish Independent has more on the story HERE.

A search coordinated by Belfast Coastguard that was prompted by several reports of sightings of red flares at the mouth of Carlingford Lough was stood down last evening after nothing was found.

The first sightings of the red flares came in at 18.10 via 999 calls from members of the public reporting that they had seen the flares near the mouth of the Lough, southwest of Kilkeel.  Belfast Coastguard issued a relay broadcast to vessels in the area to try and find more information about the potential vessel in distress, and three fishing vessels responded to say that they too had sighted the flares.

Belfast Coastguard then sent the South Down Coastguard Rescue Team, Kilkeel RNLI Inshore Lifeboat and the Irish Coast Guard Helicopter to the scene to begin a search. The three fishing vessels who responded to the initial broadcast also maintained a lookout during this time. The search area was approximately five and a half miles, and three miles offshore, and the search was completed at 20.30 and all resources stood down with nothing found.

Belfast Coastguard Watch Manager Rob Steventon said:

"With good visibility on scene and the search area completely saturated we are satisfied that the red flare sightings were not from a vessel in distress.  All sightings of distress flares reported to the Coastguard have to be thoroughly investigated, however a proportion of these turn out to be either Chinese lanterns, or non distress situations, such as people disposing of out of date flares.  Members of the public should be aware however, that using flares in a non-emergency situation is against the law."

Notes to Editors

At around 11.30 this morning Belfast Coastguard were alerted to two people in distress after one of them was pitched into the water from his capsized canoe and had been struggling, without success to get back into the craft. The call came from his colleague.

The emergency call stated that the two men, both in their early 50s, were off Copeland Sound between the coast and Donaghadee. Both men were wearing lifejackets. The man in difficulty was exhausted and needed assistance. The seas on scene were described as having a heavy swell.

Both the Bangor and Donaghadee RNLI inshore lifeboats were asked to launch and a fisheries patrol vessel, the 'Queen of Ulster' also offered assistance after hearing the radio exchanges.

During the incident, Belfast Coastguard kept in contact with the canoeist who had remained in his craft to ensure that both men were aware of the situation and that help was proceeding.

Louis McGookin, Duty Watch Manager at Belfast Coastguard said

"It was clear that the man in the water was absolutely exhausted and simply was unable to get back into his craft. Sea temperatures are at around 8 degrees Celsius at present and hypothermia is an ever present danger in prolonged immersion. Fortunately they were able to contact the Coastguard and using our knowledge of the tides in the area we were able to pinpoint his location. Both men were given a medical check when they arrived back at the shoreline and neither required any treatment."

Related Safety posts

RNLI Lifeboats in Ireland

Safety News

Rescue News from RNLI Lifeboats in Ireland

Coast Guard News from Ireland

Water Safety News from Ireland

Marine Casualty Investigation Board News

Marine Warnings

Clyde Coastguard are currently co-ordinating a search for a missing male passenger after they were reported missing by a coach driver when the ferry, the 'European Highlander', docked at Cairnryan in Scotland after travelling from Larne in Northern Ireland. The Coastguard were notified a little after 10.00 am this morning. The ferry is now being fully searched.

The vessel had departed from Larne at 07.24 this morning and arrived at Cairnryan two hours later at a speed of approximately 18 knots. The master of the vessel has confirmed that one person is missing from the ships manifest.

The sea conditions are currently calm with a slight swell and good visibility with south westerly winds of 5 knots between the two locations.

A rescue helicopter, R 177, has been scrambled from the Royal Naval Air Station at Prestwick.

Clyde Coastguard are now organising a search throughout the area taking into account tidal drift and winds. Coastguard Rescue Teams have now been turned out ready to search the shores of Loch Ryan.

The Portpatrick, Stranraer and Larne RNLI lifeboats have all been requested to launch. A search has also begun from Cairnryan to Finnarts Bay. The Police Service of Northern Ireland has also been informed.

A mayday signal has now also been broadcast into the area by the Coastguard to alert passing shipping to the unfolding incident.

UPDATE: Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat has launched this morning to help search for a missing person off Ringabella Bay in Cork Harbour. The alarm was raised when one fisherman managed to swim ashore shortly before 11am and alert the emergency services that another man was still in the water. A major air and sea search is currently taking place in the area for the missing fisherman. Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat, Crosshaven RNLI lifeboat, Coastguard helicopter Rescue 117 and the naval service have gathered in the area and a coordinated search is taking place.

Related Safety posts

RNLI Lifeboats in Ireland

Safety News

Rescue News from RNLI Lifeboats in Ireland

Coast Guard News from Ireland

Water Safety News from Ireland

Marine Casualty Investigation Board News

Marine Warnings

Today, the Irish Coast Guard published details of incidents responded to in 2010, which show the following important trends:

A total of 3,570 persons were assisted last year, a 20% increase on the 2009 figure. Total number of incidents responded to in 2010 was 1,839, consistent with total for 2009. A notable decrease in number of incidents involving leisure/recreational activities. The number of fatalities the Coast Guard responded in 2010 was 49, consistent with 2009.

Speaking today, Declan Geoghegan, Manager of the Irish Coast Guard said: "A total of 3,570 people were assisted by the Irish Coast Guard last year. The 20% increase on the 2009 figures is mainly due to the severe weather conditions at the end of 2010, when the Coast Guard provided assistance to all areas of the community including to An Garda Siochana, to local authorities but mainly to the HSE where transportation of patients, staff and GP's to various medical centres was required for a lengthy period. The Coast Guard also provided assistance to the farming community by airlifting animal feed during the severe weather."

Mr. Geoghegan continued: "A very positive development from the statistics, is the notable decrease in the number of incidents we responded to last year that involved leisure/recreational activites; the main ones being those that involved leisure craft and separately, diving incidents. This is directly attributable to the major effort that was made by the Marine Safety Working Group (chaired by the Irish Coast Guard at the Department of Transport) in alerting people to the dangers of these activities. In particular, the Marine Safety Working Group last year targeted tourists and newcomers to Ireland who may be unfamiliar with our coastline and geography and the dangers associated with it. The Marine Safety Working Group has produced safety leaflets aimed at the public (in English and other languages) to alert them to dangers and separately, to provide assistance when selecting equipment and planning trips."

The Irish Coast Guard responded to a total of 1839 separate incidents in 2010 which is constant with the 2009 figures, while the number of fatalities responded to has also remained constant with 2009 at a total of 49.

Mr. Geoghegan continued: "While it is welcome news that the number of incidents and fatalities the Coast Guard has responded to remained stable in 2010, a notable feature of the statistics show a marked increase in the number of hoax, nuisance calls and false alarms. We are working closely with an Garda Siochana in addressing hoax calls. Coast Guard Units right around Ireland are on standby today, as we are 24/7 to respond to incidents, to provide assistance and to save lives; maybe even yours. This is important work and something we take very seriously indeed."

Mr. Geoghegan concluded: I wish to take this opportunity to pass on some key messages from the Coast Guard to members of the public for 2011. These are:

If you are planning a trip along our coastline, or engaging in recreational activities in the sea or on inland waterways, plan your trip/activity carefully
Advise someone ashore of your plans
Check weather and tides
Check your craft and equipment
Know the area for boating, swimming, or angling
Never, ever go out alone.

If you see someone in difficulty, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.

Four fishermen have been rescued last night from a 58 foot wooden Fishing Vessel 'Karen', after hitting rocks near the entrance to Ardglass Harbour and taking on water. The crew of the Fishing vessel had prepared their liferaft, as the vessel was in danger of sinking.

Belfast Coastguard received a Mayday call at 5:54pm from the Newry registered vessel, which operates out of Ardglass, and immediately sent the Southdown and Portaferry Coastguard Rescue Teams to the scene. The launch was requested of the RNLI Portaferry inshore lifeboat.  The Irish Coastguard Rescue Helicopter was tasked but was later stood down.

Steve Carson, Watch Manager, Belfast Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, said:

"The crew aboard the fishing vessel were rescued by the inshore lifeboat and then taken to Ardglass Harbour where they received medical attention; one of the crew has since been taken to Downpatrick Hospital.

It is imperative to always ensure you are carrying the correct safety equipment and have it serviced regularly. Due to the prompt and appropriate action of the crew I am pleased to say they are all safe but shaken by their traumatic experience.

The rescue was successfully coordinated by Belfast Coastguard with assistance from their colleagues at Dublin, Liverpool and Holyhead Coastguard Stations.

The vessel has now been successfully refloated and is now alongside in Ardglass Harbour."

Welsh Coastguard Rescue Teams along the Irish Sea coast are assisting the NHS in North Wales today as heavy snow affects the area.

Cemaes Coastguard Rescue Team transported critical staff from Llanddeusant to Cefni Hospital, Llanerchymedd and Llangefni to Ysbyty Gwynedd then to Amlwch on return to base at Cemaes.

Moelfre Coastguard Rescue Team transported critical staff from Amlwch, Pentraeth and Talwrn to Ysbyty Gwynedd.

Moelfre Coastguard Rescue Team was tasked to assist the district nurse on critical care patient rounds, in the Gaerwen area.

Penmon Coastguard Rescue Team was tasked to collect a doctor from Llanddona and take them to Ysbyty Gwynedd.

Holyhead Coastguard Rescue Team was tasked to assist the district nurse on critical care patient rounds, in the Holyhead area.

These teams of volunteer coastguard rescue officers have been involved in essential drug transfers to and from local hospitals and nursing staff transfers. Essential supplies for critically ill patients have been delivered and doctors have been taken by coastguards to where they are needed in an emergency. Several teams are also on standby to assist over the weekend.

Rod Johnson, Chief Coastguard said

In extreme winter weather our partner emergency services, and local authorities, may need to call on our help to resolve critical or life threatening incidents. To make sure that we respond to these calls and maintain our own state of readiness for maritime emergencies, these requests are routed through the local resilience forum.

The system of call outs has been working well this week and ensuring that Her Majesty's Coastguard give help where it's needed; when it's needed.

The UK's shipping minister has announced proposals that would see a reduction in operational hours or even the closure of Northern Ireland's coastguard command centre.

Earlier this week news emerged that the rescue command centre at Bangor was under threat by public spending cuts.

Now the News Letter reports that Minister Mike Penning's proposals would see only three 24-hour coastguard stations across the UK - in Aberdeen, Southampton and Dover - with five sub-centres operating in daytime hours, one being based either at Bangor or Liverpool.

Campaigners have voiced their opposition to any reduction in Northern Ireland's local coastguard service. North Down independent MP Lady Sylvia Hermon told the News Letter that it was vital a well trained and equipped service was retained in the area.

Liverpool Coastguard have been coordinating assistance to a small yacht 'The Tern' since 3.00 am this morning at Whitehaven on the Irish Sea Coast.

The yacht owner had been seeking permission to come into the harbour seeking a safe haven as the weather conditions had begun to deteriorate, and the Coastguard were alerted by the harbour authorities. The harbour authorities expressed concern at the time about the condition of the vessel, a 22 foot, single masted, single person crewed vessel with a blue hull. The weather forecast was suggesting westerly winds of 21 to 29 knots at St Bees Head.

However by 5.40 am the yacht still endeavouring to keep out of the weather and he reported to the harbour authorities that he had taken a lot of water into his vessel. He was reassured by the authority that the Coastguard had been informed and the Whitehaven Coastguard Rescue Team were turned out. The Workington RNLI all weather lifeboat were also requested to launch.

By now the wind was gusting 42 knots and had turned to the north west which meant it was blowing straight into the harbour and causing the skipper major problems as the vessel was being thrown against the pier in the outer harbour. He was trapped in his cabin.

The Cumbria Coastguard Sector Manager was also alerted, and an ambulance called.

By 6.30 this morning the RNLI all weather boat had arrived and deploying their small 'Y' boat they sent two crew members across to the 'Tern' to get the skipper out from the badly flooded yacht. In the confined activities, one Coastguard Team Member was hit by the flailing mast and was taken to hospital. The skipper of the yacht was also taken to hospital suffering from hypothermia.

Paul Campbell, Watch Manager at Liverpool Coastguard said

"This was quite an awkward job in very difficult and deteriorating weather conditions. Fortunately the skipper is now safely in hospital and our own Coastguard Rescue Officer was given a check by the A&E department and discharged."