DISTRESS FLARES

Its that time of year again where we celebrate bonfire night with our families.  The Inverness team would like to celebrate it with there families too and not out searching for Hoax Distress Flares.

We would like to remind the public that Distress Flares are for use only when someone is in grave and imminent danger at sea.  They are not toys and not for use at firework displays.

What does a distress flare look like? You get various types. The main one that causes the most hoax calls is a Parachute Flares which is designed to fire a single red star high into the sky which will burn for about 30secs.

The team will be oncall as normal over this period and urge anyone seeing a Distress Flare to contact the COASTGUARD on 999.

Even though its a criminal offence to fire a distress flare in an non-distress situation the main point is it diverts valuable search and rescue assets away from real distress situations

Have an Enjoyable Bonfire Night

Beauly Firth,North Kessock

7th October 2009

Paged to boat aground at North Kessock found to have broken away from its moorings

Towed off by N/Kessock ILB

Cromarty Firth

6th October 2009

Paged to sighting of red flare in the Cromarty Firth. Team stood down at station. Flare set off from Dingwall area

It is illegal for anyone to set off RED DISTRESS flares if they are not in a danger situation as this can divert search & rescue assets away from genuine emergencies

Anyone sighting a red flare at sea around the coast should call  999  & ask for the Coastguard

Beauly, Inverness-shire

The team were paged at 0730 to assist Northern Constabulary with a search for a missing elderly female in the Beauly area.  Upon arriving at the Coastguard station the team were stood down as that casualty had been located.

Northern Constabulary Press Release

Someones always on the go

Check out this online Marine Traffic Tracking.  Check out where your ship is or where ships are heading for.

There is always someone on the move somewhere in the World all being kept safe by Coastguards throughout the world.

This system is similair to that used by Coastguard Maritime Co-ordination Centres.

CLICK HERE

River Ness, Inverness

At 0010 on Sunday 13th Sept the team were paged to a report of a female in the River Ness.  The team proceeded to Shore Street Quay and assisted the police and ambulance service with recovery of the casualty onto the Lifeboat from the waterbreaker where she was then taken to the quayside.  The casualty was then conveyed by ambulance to Raigmore Hospital.

Falls of Foyers, Loch Ness side

Sunday 6th Sept:  The team were tasked at around 1650 this evening to a report of a youth who got into difficulty in the water at Falls of Foyers whilst out with friends.  The team equiped with their Water and Rope Rescue Equipment proceeded to the scene along with Fort Augustus Coastguard, Loch Ness ILB, R137 and the other emergency services.

Coastguard Water Rescue Line Search

Upon arrival a shore and water search was carried out using the teams specialist water rescue equipment.  A search team of 7 Coastguards entered the water and searched from the entrance to Loch Ness upstream into the Falls of Foyers.

The search was called off due to fading light but continued on Monday and again on Tuesday where they were joined by Grampian Police Underwater Search Unit.  The team assisted the underwater search unit by lowering their equipment down the 165ft gorge to the inaccessible area.  Despite all efforts the youth could not be located.

The teams thoughts are with the family at this difficult time.

http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.a…384689?UserKey=
http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.a…86362/?UserKey=
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highla…nds/8248285.stm
http://news.stv.tv/scotland/north/121564-d…ing-tombstoner/

River Coiltie, Drumnadrochit

At 0505 this morning the team were tasked to a report of a male shouting for help after he had fallen into the River Coiltie.  The team started to proceed with their water rescue equipment but were stood down as the male had managed to make his way ashore.

The team were paged at 1655 to a report from a member of the public of a vessel appearing to be in difficulty under the Kessock Bridge.  Upon arrival the vessel was under tow by its own support RIB to Clachnaharry Sea Lock.  Kessock ILB escort the boat back and assisted in it entering the Sea Lock.

The Coastguard encourage people to report incidents where people or boats look to be in difficulty at sea or around our coasts by dialling 999 and asking for COASTGUARD.

The team were tasked at 0040 this morning to a Mayday Broadcast made to Aberdeen Coastguard through the Digital Selective Calling (DSC) system.  It reported a vessel in distress off Chanonry Point in the Inner Moray Firth.  The Inverness and Cromarty teams and Kessock ILB were asked to proceed to the area and carry out a search.  The vessel was located with one person onboard who was safe and well but the vessel had lost all power.   It was towed into Inverness Harbour for safety and to allow the owner to carry out repairs.

The owner had all the necessary safety equipment and this alone allowed for a successful outcome.

The Coastguard remind all boat owners to carry a VHF radio, Distress Flares and Lifejackets so they can summon help and be safe should the worst happen.

Click here to find out about Digital Selective Calling