Sent in by John Kinsman, station manager at Coastwatch St Monans, east Fife
Massive crane vessel off Fife coast
One of the world’s largest offshore construction vessels has arrived off the coast of Fife. The arrival of the semi-submersible crane vessel marks the start of offshore work on the Neart na Gaoithe ( NnG)wind farm. The S7000 owned by Saipem, will start the installation of casings for piles as the project enters its first phase of offshore construction.
It’s the world’s third largest semi-submersible crane vessel and is supplied with 16 anchors, 4 for each corner. The giant vessel is 197.5 Metres long and can work in the most challenging weather conditions. It can work in depths of 2,000 Metres and carry out heavy lift operations up to 14,000 tonnes at sea.
It will also work on preparing the seabed in advance of the arrival of the steel foundation jackets on which the 54 wind turbine generators and two offshore substations will be installed.
The NgG project is owned by EDF and is located 15 kilometres off the Fife coast.
All of the projects 54 turbines will be assembled at the Port of Dundee. The wind farm located in the Firth of Forth, will supply enough energy to power 375,000 homes and has a capacity of around 450 megawatts. Full commissioning will complete in 2023.
Matthias Hagg, NgG project director said, “The construction phase of the offshore wind farm is now well underway and many people will be able to see the S7000 starting construction work off shore.”
“It will be visible from much of the East Neuk of Fife and from North Berwick and Dunbar”.
Call Out
On July 25th Coastwatch St Monans station were paged by HM COASTGUARDS Aberdeen who had received a report from ambulance control that an air ambulance was landing at Elie beach. Coastwatch St Monans were requested to check out the area as there were no reports of any incident the area. Coastwatch St Monans team checked the area and found that a person had been taken ill in the beach area. A road ambulance was on scene and no further assistance was required and after informing HM COASTGUARDS control centre Coastwatch St Monans team were stood down. Team members who attended were operations manager John Kinsman, deputy manager Anne kinsman, volunteers John McLean and Beth McLean.
What a catch
A young schoolboy’s fishing trip ended with a huge bang after an army bomb squad team was scrambled to a Fife village. Billy Maddow, 11, brought back what he believed was a fossil after a day out fishing on the river Carron with a friend but the unusual object was actually an unexploded hand grenade believed to date back to first world war.
Not realising it was a live device Billy took the grenade to his friend’s house for a sleepover before showing to his mum Maureen in the village of Hill of Beath the next day.
Police who examined the grenade scrambled an Army bomb squad who destroyed it in an controlled explosion in a nearby field. Billy’s mum Maureen, said the boys got a rollicking but she has since seen the funny side of the episode.
Swimming tragedy
A 37 year old man died after swimming in a loch on the Isle of Lewis. Police said Stephen Slavin from Ayrshire was swimming in Loch Caitiosbhal on the east of the island. Emergency services were alerted to the incident near Marvig at about 11 15. Mr Slavin’s body was found after a search involving Lifeboats, coastguard teams, a rescue helicopter. Police said, “Our thoughts are with the family at this time”.
Spirit of Tay
A BROUGHTY Ferry lifeboat has found a new purpose Down Under.
The Sprit of Tay, which began its service at BROUGHTY Ferry lifeboat station 1978, was first moved to Australia about 20 years ago following a long career saving lives in the Day.
It was then renamed as Daniel Thain and used by COASTGUARDS in Port Stephens a small town 150 miles north of Sydney. It was used for more than 2,000 rescues, before being retired in 2015.
However the old ship has found a new lease of life. It has now been purchased by a maritime college in Brisbane, where It is now being used to train young captains and engineers. Bryce Riggs, a student at ECA MARITIME College was the one who originally retrieved the boat from Port Stephens. He said, “It is amazing knowing what it’s done, it makes us very happy. The college bought it, and it is now helping to train future captains and engineers”.
MURRY BROWN, present coxswain for BROUGHTY Ferry lifeboat said “It is great news that the boat we got in 1978 is still being used to help train crew. It served the area well for over 20 years and through some tough shouts”‘.
Many thanks John, and hope you are feeling better after your recent operation!
Featured image shows Anne Kinsman, deputy manager at Coastwatch St Monans, on lookout duty.