Uk Maritime And Coastguard Agency
Yacht Adrift in the North Sea
A yacht has gone adrift in the North Sea after losing steering in difficult weather conditions, reports the U.K. Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). One man is believed to be aboard the yacht which was making its way from Lerwick to Norway when it encountered difficulties around 8:50 p.m. yesterday. The man is in no immediate danger, according to the coastguard. The coastguard units from the U.K. and Norway are responding to the incident. Responders hope to tow yacht to Bergen, though weather conditions are making it difficult.
Man Earns Jail Time for Hoax Coast Guard Calls
A man found guilty of making numerous hoax calls to the U.K. Coastguard has been jailed for four months, the U.K. Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) reported. Alasdair Munro, 55, from Kyleakin, Skye, denied all charges before Sheriff Scott at Portree Sheriff Court on August 27, 2015, but was found guilty of an offence contrary to the Communications Act 2003 section 127, according to the MCA. Munro had reportedly called HM Coastguard several times on October 30, 2013, claiming a yacht was lost in Loch Hourn. Munro said he had spoken to someone on VHF radio stating that they were lost in Loch Hourn and didn’t know how to get out.
New Qualifications for Commercial Yacht Crews
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) informs that four new certificates of competency for seafarers working on commercial motor yachts will be introduced in Australia from early 2016. After consultation between AMSA the commercial yachting Industry, Yachting Australia, the Australian Maritime College and the Transport Logistics Industry Skills Council, these new qualifications will see Australian motor yacht worker’s skills recognized with an official AMSA certificate of competency. The four new qualifications include Watchkeeper Deck <3000GT Yachts with deck rating endorsement…
RHIB Collision Leads to Big Fine
A Cardiff sailing club and its Chief Instructor has today been made to pay £67,000 in fines and costs after failing to take proper care of children attending one of their courses, the U.K. Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said. The Chief Instructor, Nicholas Sawyer has also been given 180 hours of Community Service. Penarth Motor Boat and Sailing Club, trading as Cardiff Bay Yacht Club, and its Chief Instructor Nicholas Sawyer pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to charges relating to failures in their duty of care for children attending a residential course in October 2010.
