Putting lives at risk - as if fishing wasn't dangerous enough

The RNLI is a jewel in the UK crown - a hugely successful and unrivalled rescue service - a model of good practice and the envy of seafaring nations the world over. Despite doing the world's most dangerous job in the first instance, active and retired fishermen often make up the bulk of a lifeboat's crew - they bring unparallelled local knowledge and seafaring skills to the operation. This week, a few yards off shore and in the entrance to Penzance dock both Penlee lifeboats rescued a yacht with three people on board - in a rescue that should never have happened.

Under normal circumstances you would accept that a yacht had found itself in difficulties when on passage and caught out by a rapidly deteriorating forecast which then necessitated a rescue call. However, if the newspaper report is to be beleived, this is a rescue that should not have happened. 

The boat left  the safety of Penzance Harbour bound for Weston-Super-Mare that morning when, allegedly, the cause of the rescue was down to one of the crew being so seasick that the boat was forced to return to port. Given that the forecast was, and had been giving southerly gales and worse and that all but the biggest fishing boats in Newlyn's fleet were already safely tied up in port you have to question the sanity of a yacht even contemplating sailing in such conditions - they crew were obvioulsy not hardened sailors - hardened sailors don't get seasick - and if they do, their boat isn't going to return to port!

The AIS track of the Ivan Ellen which stood by the Paul Alexander as she rescued the yacht from the entrance to Penzance Harbour.

In the end the Atlantic class inshore lifeboat. Paul Alexander found itself partially disabled owing to the conditions and the crew having to deal with what turned out to be a tricky rescue.

Let's hope the yacht sees fit to make a huge donation to the RNLI by way of apology and some recompence - not that this would have been any consoloation should the rescue turned into a disaster - for either party.

Here's the report from the RNLI with comments from Patch Harvey, cox of the Ivan Ellen who quite rightly pointed out that his boat was safely tied up in the harbour at Newlyn at the time - as should all those boats unable to deal with the very poor conditions!

"The volunteers of the Penlee RNLI inshore lifeboat faced a six metre swell and a southerly gale this morning (Wednesday 17 October) as they attempted to rescue a yacht crew who had gone aground in the entrance to Penzance Harbour.

The three people onboard the 30ft yacht left Penzance this morning, bound for Weston-super-Mare but when one of them because very seasick they headed back towards the port. However, with a huge swell running in to the harbour the yacht went aground as they made their approach and rolled on to her side.  

The RNLI volunteers managed to get a rope on to the bow of the yacht despite the lifeboat being swamped by the massive seas several times. At one stage they lost power to one of the outboard engines, but fortunately managed to restart it within 15 minutes.

Patch Harvey, RNLI Coxswain at Penlee, says the crew volunteers did a brilliant job:

‘Despite loosing an engine and getting swamped time and time again the three crew managed to keep hold of the yacht until just after low water when she began to float and they were able to pull her away and tow her out to the all-weather lifeboat (Ivan Ellen). They then took the boat to Newlyn where using both lifeboats, we managed to steer the yacht through the narrow entrance and on to a safe berth.

‘I would remind people to listen carefully to the weather forecast before setting out. Today there are warnings of southerly force eight winds that are likely to increase and there’s already a rough sea in the bay. I’d like to keep the lifeboat safety moored up at times like this and hope other sea goers feel the same way.'"

Nuff said Patch. 

Enabling fish stocks to return to healthy and sustainable levels will result in an increase in landings, profit and income for the fisheries sector and fishermen

Brussels, Belgium - Enabling fish stocks to return to healthy and sustainable levels will result in an increase in landings, profit and income for the fisheries sector and fishermen, according to a new independent study - Socio-Economic Benefits of a Bold EU Fisheries Reform - launched today.

The research carried out by Framian BV and commissioned by WWF, is the first to examine the potential social and economic benefits of the fisheries sector from a purely EU perspective, providing strong arguments for an ambitious reform of Europe’s fisheries, which is presently up for review.

If politicians vote for a strong EU fisheries reform with proper implementation that will allow fish stocks to recover, just 10 years from now in 2022, we could start seeing huge benefits (compared to continuing past trends):

• EU fishermen could land an additional 2.8 million tons of sustainably caught fish - an increase of around 80%
• The fisheries sector could generate an extra income of €2.1 billion per year - around 80% more 
• Across the EU, income per fisherman could be up to 50% higheron average than it is today

“EU fisheries have the potential to be highly productive. A long-term stable supply of fish is possible, but only if fish resources are managed sustainably. Now is the time to put the much needed policy and financial structures in place and put a stop to bankrupting our oceans,” says Tony Long, Director at WWF’s European Policy Office. 

In 2012 we have seen some positive signs on stocks and even profits, but these reflect substantial efforts in certain fisheries and remain an exception rather than the rule, when looked at across European Waters. 

Over the past 15 years, EU fisheries have been in continuous decline. Landings and employment have been falling at a steady rate of 4% per year and fishermen’s incomes have stagnated. The discussion paper draws some stark conclusions for the future if the status quo continues. With no strong fisheries reform, by 2022:

• EU fishermen could land 1.4 million tons of fish less compared to 2009 - about 30% less
• EU fishing fleets could decrease by as much as 20%
• 50,000 fishermen will have lost their jobs across the EU – that’s a 30% drop in employment, compared to 2009

“EU fisheries have been close to the edge of bankruptcy. Fisheries Ministers and the European Parliament need to heed the call of thousands of consumers and businesses across Europe who want to see a prosperous future for fish stocks, our fishing industry and our oceans. Our politicians have the opportunity and the power to secure profit for industry and income for fishermen - so they must ensure a progressive reform of the Common Fisheries Policy," concludes Tony Long.

WWF is orchestrating a massive online lobby of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) who sit on the Fisheries Committee and play a key role in deciding the future of our fisheries end of November. After decades of poor management by Fisheries Ministers they have a chance, for the first time ever, to ensure progressive reform of the Common Fisheries Policy and secure a prosperous future for fish stocks and in turn the fishing sector. 

WWF is calling for a Common Fisheries Policy that:

• ensures fish populations are above levels which can support maximum sustainable yield (BMSY) by 2015;
• establishes multi-annual plans by 2015 and fishery-based co-management groups involving all stakeholders;
• enhances cooperation at regional level on sustainable management of fish stocks;
• stops the wasteful practice of discarding unwanted fish while bringing unwanted catches close to zero by 2018 at the latest; and
• limits subsidy payments to sustainable fishing practices.

On 28 November the European Parliament’s Fisheries Committee will decide and vote on the future of our oceans. Send a message to MEPs and tell them to ‘Stop Bankrupting our Oceans’: www.wwf.eu/stopbankrupting

Story courtesy of WWF web site.

The tide is high but I'm holding on......

Southerly swells swirl past the Mission entrance, by far the biggest tide of the year and just as well for Newlyn that the wind forecast did not arrive - a big sou' easterly blow on top of

a 19 foot 7 inch tide would have been very messy for the town...

as it is the Anthony, now minus her wheelhouse is almost submerged...

harbour master Andrew always happy to see the harbour in the black...

with only the one big boat to land this morning the buyers were fighting over the fish beginning to make good money as the poor weather keeps many boats tied up around the coasts of the UK...

one or two inshore boats working very close inshore managed a few boxes of the very best quality fish...

taken away at speed by the likes of Roger...

down the end of the quay, the biggest beamer in the fleet manoeuvres her way to land...

as another spring is thrown aboard to keep her in place...

the Sapphire set against a sapphire sky...

Juicy gets to grips with a shackle....

before the starboard side is lifted and the chain mat and cod end is inspected for damage...

under the watchful eye of skipper Billy Worth...

both sets of gear are raised high above the working deck...

not far behind, the Cornishman takes her place alongside...

with the gear checked and approved, Sean deftly guides a ton of steel safely to the deck...

ready to land...

never mind the weather, the Emma Louise is all set for a day at sea...

which is looking a trifle scuffly.

Resolute with a mending job to do - time to get the net ashore!

Strategic appointment for Succorfish following success in marine industry

 Tom Rossiter, a well known figure within the UK’s marine, commercial fishing and seafood industries, has joined Succorfish as Head of Marine. The strategic appointment comes as the company builds upon growing success in developing and delivering advanced vessel monitoring systems and data transfer technology to the marine industry on an international scale. 

Tom brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the company having worked at the highest level for the likes of Cefas, the Seafish Industry Authority and a number of leading seafood processors. He will now drive forward growth and awareness of Succorfish’s marine technology capability, satellite communication and tracking products within global fisheries markets. 

He commented, “Succorfish is a dynamic and energetic company that has made huge strides in the marine industry, in particular commercial fisheries, over recent years. Its ability to provide a complete solution to Governments and industry authorities in line with policy as well as make a real difference to the way end users operate has set them apart and is something that can only reap further success and opportunity. “Having come from a commercial fishing background, I know that the company’s ambition is nothing short of impressive. My role will therefore be to build upon this with my own knowledge, expertise and networks, introduce existing products to new clients and countries worldwide and advise in the development of new products to meet bespoke requirements.”

Birds of a feather

All photos taken approximately 40 miles WNW of the Isles of Scilly...

This Great Skua carried several plastic rings or tags on its feet.

A great skua, more often than not operating alone - follows the other sea birds that follow the fishing fleet - usually get their food by harrying the gulls that have just fed and making them regurgitate their catch - they are known locally as a shit-harry bird - which has been tagged more than once...

one gannet on the prowl for a feed...

gannet diving, about to fold his wings back before hitting the water...

a pair of gannets still looking for fish...

flying low...

very tidy skull cap on this chap...

with very sleek wings.

Missing yacht Seagair update - wreckage ashore at Sennen Cove

VOLUNTEERS searching for a yacht belonging to a 65-year-old woman who disappeared after leaving Mousehole on Saturday have found debris washed up on Sennen beach. 

Photographs of the debris are currently being analysed by coastguards in Falmouth to see whether it belongs to Seagair, a 31ft yacht skippered by Ona Unwin from Bideford. ​ Ms Unwin, who is from Bideford and recently bought the yacht, left Mousehole to go to Bideford at 6.30 pm on Saturday evening, but has not been seen or heard from since then. The debris has been discovered in the water surrounding Cowloe Rocks in Sennen Cove and washed up on the beach.

Three RNLI lifeboats from Penlee, Sennen Cove and St Ives were launched today in a bid to locate the missing yacht, along with helicopters from RNAS Culdrose and RAF Chivenor.

Courtesy of ThisIsCornwall