Cornwall's approach to safety at sea

Senior Operations Officer Mervyn Kettle
Cornwall County Fire Brigade

Describes the brigade's offshore response tactics in a busy coastal area.
In the past two years Cornwall County Fire Brigade has provided assistance and advice to several ships involved in fires. The south west approaches provide some of the busiest waters around the UK, with transatlantic and European trade all 'funnelling' up into the bustling ports of Holland, Germany and France as well as UK ports. It is reputed that some 90.000 shipping movements per year are recorded within this area alone.

The brigade has responded to three offshore incidents within that two-year period using its special offshore response teams; it is currently reviewing its procedures with the brigade's Marine Operations Group looking at key issues such as risk assessments, training and equipment.

With the longest coastline of any brigade in England and Wales the risks can be many and varied. Cruise liners now often visit the picturesque ports of Fowey and Falmouth (a natural deep water port of refuge), bringing with them numerous passengers to promote the Cornish economy.

Cruising is still the fastest growing tourist industry in the world. and Cornwall has seen an increase in the number of visits to its shores. Falmouth docks carries out a great deal of ship repair work as well as being involved in the construction of large luxury private yachts. Many estuaries, rivers and reservoirs also interweave the county, providing further tourist trade with yachts and houseboats, thus the brigade is currently investigating the opportunity to invest in its first fireboat.

This may be in partnership with a major private company, and interest is already being expressed from other organisations for its full potential to be explored, reducing the overall cost to the brigade. Officers from the brigade have been working with fire officers from Hampshire and Kent to produce a standard operating procedure (SOP) for the use of helicopters as a means of transporting crews to ships on fire offshore. RAF, RN and Coastguard Officers are also involved and it is hoped that a standard document will be drafted this year that can, after full consultation, be agreed by all parties and ensure a common SOP for all UK fire brigades and SAR agencies.

The brigade continues to work with other brigades in an effort to maintain and improve its skills and levels of co-operation. ·