MARITIME & COASTGUARD ANNOUNCE JUBILEE PARADE LINE UP

30 May 2002 01:13 PM

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency today announced the line up for its contribution to the Services Parade in London on Tuesday 4 June 2002 in celebration of Her Majesty's Golden Jubilee.

The theme of the Parade is `Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow'. Representing 'Yesterday' heading up the MCA contingent is the 1860 built Coastguard Wagon, which is currently on display at the Isle of Arran Heritage Museum, will be shipped to London complete with two Clydesdale heavy horses. Coastguard Rescue Team members in 1950's farm labourer clothing and two Coastguard Officers in traditional uniform will accompany the wagon to represent the yesteryear element. Such horse drawn wagons were in use until the 1970s.

A Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopter on a low loader will represent the `Today' part of the Parade with four aircrew in flying suits. Henry Bosustow, a Coastguard Rescue Team Station Officer in full uniform and Robin Middleton, Secretary of State Representative (SOSREP) will also accompany the aircraft. Two emergency Coastguard rough terrain vehicles will act as outriders.

For the `Tomorrow' section, a satellite display will be carried in the procession, which will show the MCA's cutting edge global communications in the 21st Century. Additionally six female MCA staff will carry a large flag, featuring the MCA logo, providing an aerial visual. The flag celebrates the success of the UK Registry arm of the MCA in attracting ship owners to the Red Ensign, an increase of nearly 70% tonnage over the last four years.

(A full list of parade participants and their UK work base is listed below.)

John Astbury, Director of Operations and Chief Coastguard says:

"We are immensely proud to be part of the Parade and we hope to celebrate Her Majesty's Golden Jubilee by presenting to Her Majesty and to the television and radio audience in spectacular fashion our contribution to maritime safety over the last 50 years. The MCA participants have all volunteered to take part in the Parade and truly represent a geographical spread of the whole of the UK; the majority holding awards for bravery and long service."

The helicopter will be transported over this weekend by low loader to Horseguards Parade whilst the Wagon after being taken from the Museum and arriving on the mainland from a ferry will, with accompanying horses, be driven to stabling located within central London.

ENDS

Notes for Editors

The full list of participants is listed below:

Roger Clarke: Clyde Sector Manager
Bill Spiers Clyde Deputy District Controller
Davey Currie Auxiliary Coastguard from Rothesay
Roy Hopgood Auxiliary Coastguard from Eastbourne 5 Mike O'Brien Southampton Sector Manager 14
Steve Milne Auxiliary Coastguard from Deal
Mike Armitage Inverness Sector Manager 12
Steve Varley Falmouth Operations Manager 15
Dick Townshend Bradwell Sector Manager 16
Pete Pritchard Lyme Bay Sector Manager 9
Friedie Manson Helicopter Crewman from Sumburgh 3
Kieran Murray Helicopter crewman from Sumburgh10
Dave Ellis Helicopter crewman from Sumburgh17
John Spencer Helicopter winchman from Lee on Solent 7 Henry Bosustow Auxiliary Coastguard from Porthoustock 2 Robin Middleton SOSREP1
Tommy Tucker Small Vessel Inspector from the South Coast 6 Bob Knox Solent Coastguard Watch Manager 13
Stuart McNab Auxiliary Coastguard from Eastbourne 4 Tess van der Vleit Auxiliary Coastguard from Landon
Nicola Pearson Cardiff Sector Manager 8
Anne Roberts Auxiliary Coastguard from Penmon 11
Isabel Stevens Administrative Officer from Southampton HQ Kathy Monk Administrative Officer from Southampton HQ Kelly Anne-Sweetnam Administrative Officer from Southampton HQ John McMillan Greenan Mill Clydesdale Horse Display Team 18

1. Robin Middleton - Robin joined the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on Monday in 1999 and he is based at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in Southampton. The SOSREP role is a new post, and has been created as the part of the Government's response to Lord Donaldson's Review of Salvage and Intervention and their command and control. On behalf of the Secretary of State he is able to oversee, control and if necessary, to intervene and exercise "ultimate command and control" acting in the over riding interest of the UK in salvage operations with in the UK waters involving vessels or fixed platforms where there is significant risk of pollution. Adoption of the principle represents an international first for the UK.

- Robin has had a varied background, which includes commercial diving operations and salvage, law enforcement, shore based emergency planning and response. His last appointment was as a Director in Local Government. Additionally his other seagoing experience covers work on trawlers. In his capacity as a crewmember of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, he was awarded the RNLI's Silver Medal for gallantry.

2. Henry Bosustow MBE, the Station Officer for Porthoustock, went to Buckingham Palace in October last, to collect the MBE that he was awarded in the Queens Birthday Honours in June.

- Henry has lived in the Porthoustock area (near Falmouth in Cornwall) all his life and is a stalwart of the local community in various capacities. He has been a member of the Parish Council serving on various committees, an active member of the Beach Users Association, a trustee and member of St Keverne Band.

- He joined Porthoustock team in 1960 and one of his first notable incidents involved using Breeches Buoy to rescue the crew from a coaster that ran ashore at Dean Quarry on the East side of the Lizard peninsula.

- A great many incidents have been associated with searches for missing divers, some successful and some unfortunately not. Other memorable incidents have included the rescue of a large leatherback turtle that was caught in local nets and the safe return to shore of a Roe Deer that was seen swimming out to sea!! Henry is absolutely committed to HM Coastguard. He was made leader of the team in 1989. In 1980 he received his CG Long Service Medal and a bar in 1995. He is much respected as a leader and is always ready to help and nurture new members and hopefully will continue to do so.

3. Friedie Manson - On 25.12.90 twelve crew were rescued from an oil rig standby vessel 'MV Maersk Tackler' in severe storm force winds gusting to hurricane force, Friedie was awarded the 'Coastguard Commendation for Meritorious Service'. The next award Friedie received was the 'Aviation Week & Space Technology Operation of the Year Laureat, The Igore Sikorsky Rescue Commendation' for the rescue of sixteen crew off the tanker 'MV Braer' in severe storm force winds gusting to hurricane force on 05.01.93. Fifty-six crew were rescued on 09.11.93 off the Latvian Klondyker 'MV Lunohods' which had been driven onto the rocks and was sinking in severe storm winds for this rescue Friedie was awarded the 'Queens Commendation for Bravery in the Air', the 'Coastguard Commendation for Meritorious Service' and the 'Helicopter Association International Crew of the Year Award'.

4. Stuart McNab - Awarded 'Chief Coastguard Commendation' in 1997 for his part in rescuing a man stuck under Eastbourne Pier. Additionally received a 'Letter of Appreciation' from the RNLI for the same incident.

- A man was found clinging to a support pillar under Eastbourne Pier around midnight on a stormy night. Stuart made his way to the man along very narrow beams with heavy seas washing over them and encouraged and helped the man to make his way from under the pier and into a lifeboat.

- Stuart and his team the Eastbourne CRT were awarded the Coastguard Rescue Shield in 2001 for their continuing work in Rescue and Recovery at Beachy Head. Awarded sparingly, this is the highest award, given by HM Coastguard to Coastguard units, for exceptional work in the Search and Rescue arena.

- The Eastbourne Coastguard Company has had responsibility for rescue and recovery at Beachy Head for the last 30 years. Because of the sensitive nature of much of the work undertaken by the Eastbourne Company, which involves on average 20 recoveries each year, much of this service has gone on quietly in the background, with the majority of incidents unreported.

5. Roy Hopgood - Awarded Chief Coastguard Commendation for rescuing a badly injured man stuck on a ledge 80ft down the 550ft Beachy Head Cliffs. A man in a distressed state was reported to have ran for the cliff edge and jumped. Roy Hopgood was the first Coastguard on scene. Roy discovered that by chance the casualty had become stuck on a small ledge some 80-foot down the 550-foot cliff. Roy abseiled to the casualty, with a comprehensive medical kit, secured the casualty, cleared the casualty's airway, administered drips and stabilised the situation. The Coastguard Helicopter then airlifted the man to hospital where he made a full recovery. Roy as a key member of the Eastbourne CRT is also a recipient of the Coastguard Rescue Shield awarded in 2001.

6. Tommy Tucker - Whilst serving as a Coastguard he was involved in many rescues of all types. For one such incident he received the Chief Coastguard's Commendation, also the RNLI Cup which was presented by the local branch at Poole. This was as coxswain of the Coastguard Boat where Tommy and two crew managed to save three young men from drowning after their craft had capsized in choppy sea's. One of them had to be resuscitated. To this day Tommy still receives a Christmas card from him.

7. John Spencer - Most of John's time has been spent as an Aircrew Search and Rescue Diver on various Search and Rescue Flights (Culdrose, Portland and Lee on Solent). Points of note whilst in the Royal Navy - October 1980 - after 45 minutes of searching underwater in complete darkness successfully located and rescued a man trapped in an air pocket inside the accommodation compartment in an overturned dredging barge, in the Solent.

- Awarded Queens Gallantry Medal by the Queen at Buckingham Palace in 1981. December 1981 rescued four personnel including a 2 year old child from the Ecuadorian vessel Bonita in gale force conditions, which was sinking 5 miles south of Portland. Awarded a Bar to his Queens Gallantry Medal, again by the Queen at Buckingham Palace in 1982. Also voted Navy Man of the Year at this time. February 1983 - John was featured on the TV programme 'This is Your Life'.

- John left the Royal Navy December 1995 joined Bristow Helicopters, serving on the Coastguard Search and Rescue flight at Lee on Solent. Very first call out, recovered a person that was trapped under the ice in a lake situated near Andover. Awarded Chief Coastguards Commendation. October 1998 - assisted in the airlift rescue of 51 teenagers and crew from the Dutch Schooner 'Eendracht' which had got into difficulties when its engine failed shortly after leaving Newhaven harbour in East Sussex. It was being forced in high winds and seas onto a sandbank.

8. Nicola Pearson - joined the Auxiliary Coastguard team in Port Talbot South Wales as part of her Duke of Edinburgh Gold award in 1994. She was the first female team member in the history of the Coastguard station at Port Talbot. During her time as an Auxiliary Coastguard she was awarded with the Chief Coastguards Commendation for her part in a rescue of a young boy who had fallen between rocks on a breakwater in Port Talbot.

- In September 1996 Nicola joined the Coastguard full time as a Coastguard Watch assistant (CWA) in Swansea Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC), and was one of the first CWA's to be taken on in Swansea, as this was a new grade that had been introduced.

9. Pete Prichard - was awarded the CCG Commendation in June 1999 when he was District Duty Officer during the rescue of 156 people from the water after 76 'dart catamarans' capsized due to a squall in Weymouth Bay.

10. Kieran Murray A Winch Operator/Winchman based at Sumburgh SAR Unit in Shetland since 1983 when the SAR contract was first awarded to Bristow Helicopters Limited.

- Kieran holds two Coastguard Commendations and the Coastguard Rescue Shield for the SAR Flight at Sumburgh. The Commendations were presented for the rescue of 56 crew from the Latvian Fish Factory Ship 'Lunohods' on 09.11.93 in wind speeds of 70mph, 24 crew were winched to safety on the first sortie and 32 on the second with the ship sinking . A Winch Operator/Winchman based at Sumburgh SAR Unit in Shetland since 1983 when the SAR contrac by the bows. One week later a second factory ship 'MV Borodinskoye Poyle', went aground at the North end of Lerwick harbour, 36 crew were winched to safety before the vessel sank - the Coastguard Rescue Shield was awarded for both rescues that November. In 1994 received the 'Crew of the Year' award from Helicopter Ass. Intl. In Los Angeles for the 'Lunohods' rescue.

- Attended the Queens Silver Jubilee at Portsmouth, flying in the lead helicopter over the Royal Yacht.

11. Anne Roberts - during her first ever patrol she was involved in a successful rescue of four children from the waters of the Menai Straits for which she received a Commendation for Meritorious Service.

12. Mike Armitage - Holder of Chief Coastguard's Commendation and Royal Humane Soceity Award for the rescue of drowning man in the river Ness in September 1991.

13. Bob Knox - Awarded a Commendation for Meritorious Service.

14. Mike O'Brien - Awarded the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal 1977 when serving in the Royal Navy.

15. Steve Varley - Awarded the Chief Coastguard's Commendation for Meritorious Service.

16. Dick Townshend - Dick has received many awards and commedations 17 in total, listed here are a selection: Royal Human Society Testimonial on Vellum - for the rescue of two people from the sea. Chief Coastguard's Commendation for Meritorious Service. MBE for service to the Coastguard.

17. Dave Ellis - In 1994 David received the Edward and Maisie Lewis Award for his part in the Pionersk Rescue in which he winched 89 people off a Russian Fish Factory Ship which had founded on cliffs near Lerwick in storm force conditions.

18. John McMillan Snr (Greenan Mill Clydesdale Horse Display Team) - was born and bred on the Island of Bute some 50 years ago. John runs the Greenan Mill Clydesdale Stables. He has been associated with Clydesdale Horses for most of his life from working horses where he represented Scotland in the World Championship Ploughing Match held in Southern Ireland. He also brakes, trains, shows and drives up to a six horse hitch, where he competes in most of the major events around the UK.

- There are three Clydesdale horses coming to the event from John McMillans Stable on the Island of Bute. Two will be used on the day and one in reserve.

- The two Clydesdales being used on the day will be as follows:

"Bobby" - 7 years old born in Lanarkshire (offside)
"Sany" - 7 years old born in Cheshire (nearside)
"Popeye" is in reserve, he is an 8 year old born outside Glasgow

BACKGROUND BRIEFING TO THE MARITIME & COASTGUARD AGENCY, AN EXECUTIVE AGENCY OF
THE DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT & THE REGIONS

Over the years countless lives have been lost around the UK's diverse and often treacherous coastline.

But at the same time thousands of lives have been saved by building safer ships, improving standards on board, ensuring the competence of crews, and through the development of a fast and effective emergency response services.

Today this is the responsibility of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency one of the most sophisticated operations of its kind anywhere in the world.

But it hasn't always been that way - it has been a gradual development with lessons often being learnt the hard way.

The Coastguard actually started life in 1822 as a force to deal with an overwhelming increase in smuggling, and because they were strategically placed around the UK they also became responsible for saving lives and this soon became their main priority.

At the same time developments were being made to ships safety.

Between 1873 and 74 around the UK a total of 411 ships sank with the loss of 506 lives. Overloading and poor repairs made some ships so dangerous they became known as 'coffin ships'. In 1870, the MP Samuel Plimsoll, began to campaign against the disastrous effects of overloading. He recommended that 'Load lines' were painted on the side of ships to show how low they could safely rest in the water. The Merchant Shipping Act of 1876 made these lines compulsory, and since then, they have been known as Plimsoll Lines, and have been one of the most significant developments in shipping safety.

1894 saw the introduction of the Merchant Shipping Act - the basis for Maritime Law today. Under umbrella of the Board of Trade, Surveyors and Inspectors were charged with monitoring and enforcing these new laws and offering help and advice to all aspects of the industry.

In 1914 two years after the tragic loss of 1,500 lives on board the Titanic, stringent new laws were introduced under the name 'SOLAS' which stands for safety of life at sea. It provided much needed legislation on the design and use of safety equipment,
communications, fire protection, and rescue procedures.

It has been regularly updated to incorporate modern technology, and to this day SOLAS helps to ensure the greatest chance of survival in the event of a catastrophe.

The 1925 Coastguard Act officially recognized the Coastguard service as Her Majesty's Coastguard.

As the service developed there have been significant improvements in techniques, equipment, communications and training. Important lessons have been learnt from major incidents which have helped to shape Maritime safety, as we know it today,

In recent years The Herald of Free Enterprise and Marchioness tragedies have instigated still tighter laws governing passenger vessels. Whilst The Exxon Valdez, Sea Empress and Braer incidents have led to a drive for safer and cleaner seas and a reduction in pollution.

The mysterious loss of the Derbyshire in 1980 led to tighter controls over the installation and use of storm hatches.

Surveyors and Inspectors have played active parts in every one of these incidents.

The evolution of both the Coastguard and Surveyor Generals Organisation has seen a number of different bodies taking charge until in 1998 they joined forces and became the current Maritime and Coastguard Agency to share their knowledge and experience. Together they are responsible for every aspect of Marine Safety.

The MCA exists to promote high standards of safety at sea, to minimise loss of life amongst seafarers and coastal users, to protect the environment by minimising pollution from ships and to respond to maritime emergencies 24 hours a day. This clear definition of the role of HM Coastguard within the MCA has enabled the MCA to focus on introducing the best available technology, which means that the UK Coastguard is a world model for search and rescue co-ordination in the 21st century.

Whether you are a sailboarder too exhausted to reach the shore or a walker that slips from the scenic cliff path, cruising on a luxury superliner that looses rudder control or crew aboard a container ship battered by freak waves, fallen sick on a racing yacht or trapped on a burning oil rig, HM Coastguard can ensure that the most able rescuers are sent to your aid. Computerised data gives them access to all the resources and by touching a visual display screen they can summon lifeboats, helicopters, towing vessels or cliff rescuers. It is no matter that you are a hundred miles along the coast from their watchroom or far over the horizon.

Satellite communications enable Coastguards to hear the distress calls of seafarers and coastal users who less than a hundred years ago would have hoped in vain that their feeble flares or cries might be seen. Rescue was not quick; if a Coastguard spotted a vessel ashore he often had to send messengers on foot to alert the lifeboat or Coastguard team.

HM Coastguard no longer thinks only of rescue. Despite handling thousands of incidents every year, improved efficiency has freed officers to take part in safety campaigns. Each year these target the most common causes of accidents at sea, and their message is carried to recreational clubs and into schools.

For further information please contact
Maritime and Coastguard Agency Press Office, on: (023) 8032 9401

Further information about the current role of the MCA Agency is available on the Web at www.mcga.gov.uk