| UK. Coastguard tasks services to fire in Brighton Marina, 1 person badly burned, 2 boats sink |
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| Monday, 06 November 2006 | |
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Coastguard news: Just before 8pm last evening Solent Coastguard received a 999 emergency call reporting a fire on a vessel moored in Brighton Marina. Solent Coastguard tasked Coastguard Rescue teams from Brighton, Newhaven and Shoreham and requested the RNLI to launch the Brighton inshore lifeboat and yankie boat and the Shoreham all weather lifeboat to the Marina. On arrival at the Marina the Coastguard teams reported that the fire had spread to the neighbouring vessel. The Coastguard rescue teams have been assisting the fire brigade drenching the vessels with water, in an attempt to extinguish the fire. Paramedic teams are also on site as it is unclear at this stage as to whether or not these vessels are occupied. Dave Williams, Watch Manager at Solent Coastguard said, "We are working closely with the Sussex Fire and Rescue service and Marina staff to bring this fire under control. We are now at a Tier two response and are working hard to prevent further damage to other vessels within the marina". Brighton Marina vessels sink Yesterday evening Solent Coastguard co-ordinated Coastguard Rescue teams from Brighton, Newhaven and Shoreham at Brighton Marina where two vessels were on fire. Solent Coastguard also requested the launch of the RNLI Brighton inshore lifeboat and Y boat and the Shoreham all weather lifeboat to the Marina, and liaised with East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, East Sussex Police, South East Coastal Ambulance Trust and the Brighton Marina staff. One person was evacuated by ambulance with considerable burns to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton. The Coastguard teams, lifeboat teams and fire service worked together evacuating the adjacent pontoons as required. The Shoreham lifeboat directed its two fire pumps onto the burning vessels under the direction of the on scene fire commander, whilst the fire units directed a foam mix onto the boats. Unfortunately the fire had a good hold on both vessels and neither could be saved. Both have now sunk. One person was treated on-scene by paramedics for smoke inhalation and during the incident Coastguard Rescue Officers searched nearby boats for people who might have been overcome by the smoke and advised the public of this danger. During the operation oil containment booms were deployed to contain any fuel oil that might be spilt. These remain in place along with oil absorbent pads to contain the small amount of fuel oil that is now surfacing from the sunken vessels. The Marina's oil spill contingency plan was invoked during the incident at Tier Two, and the Marina's stores of counter pollution equipment was supplemented from the stockpile at nearby Shoreham Harbour and subsequently reinforced from Southampton. David Williams, Watch Manager at Solent Coastguard said, "It was important to ensure the safety of people nearby as well as putting out the fires and preventing their further spread within the marina. The crews of all the teams on scene worked well together in minimising the impact of the incident and we have fortunately been able to move from a Search and Rescue response to a Counter Pollution response quickly. The intention is now for the Marina's contractors to take over the counter pollution response as the situation has stabilised enabling us to withdraw the Coastguard Rescue Teams and lifeboats. We understand that the injured person's condition in the High Dependency Unit has been stabilised and we sincerely hope that he is able to make a full recovery." |
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| Last Updated ( Monday, 06 November 2006 ) |
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