As a fishing vessel sinks in the North Sea, an HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter and a Norwegian rescue helicopter rush to the scene, while the RCIT team investigate a skipper after his vessel hits a Danish barge, causing the death of two crew. Coastguards in Falmouth respond to an emergency in Lamorna, where a fallen walker is in need of help.
A fishing vessel with eight men aboard is taking on water in the North Sea. The coastguard helicopter from Sumburgh is rapidly sent to the scene, but despite an oil slick, nothing remains.
During the search, life rafts are spotted in the water, and the crew works with the Norwegian Coastguard to coordinate a rescue. All fishermen are recovered safe and well.
Winch Paramedic Kane Desmond said: "The Norwegians turned up with the other two from the liferaft, so those guys got to see their shipmates again.
“The captain did save their lives, credit to him for getting them into life rafts so early on because if he hadn’t have made that call, him and his crew could well have ended up in the sea."
Regulatory Compliance and Investigation Team Senior Investigator Mark Flavell investigates the cause of a fatal collision off the Swedish coast involving a UK-registered cargo ship, Scot Carrier and Danish vessel Karin Høj.
The investigation centres on the actions of the vessel’s second officer, who is found to have been using a mobile device while at the bridge.
Through evidence captured during the ship’s voyage, claims of a drinking culture aboard and safety system failures are also made against the captain. Investigator Mark visits academics at Southampton Solent University, who underline the importance of early warning alerts on the bridge – found to have been turned off aboard Scot Carrier at the time of the collision.
The ship’s master, Sam Farrow, is sentenced in the UK to eight months’ jail suspended for 12 months with £25,000 costs. Separately, his second officer is found guilty of manslaughter and jailed for 18 months in Denmark.
Mark says: “This tragic collision is because a number of failures that have been allowed to build up, each one increasing the risk. Farrow knew that the officer of the watch was alone on the bridge at night-time and was aware that the navigational apps were switched off. He’s got a lot to account for.”
• Check the weather and tides.
• Stay clear of cliff edges and bases.
• Keep your dog on a lead.
• Share your plans.
• Carry a charged mobile phone.
• If you get in trouble at the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
Find out more about vacancies at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency or becoming a volunteer coastguard rescue officer.
Coastguard airs on Wednesdays at 9pm on Channel 5. Find out more about each episode so far.
