Marine news
Sent in by John Kinsman, operations manager Coastwatch St Monans, east Fife. Featured image shows Pittenweem harbour.
Fife harbour calls received in Brighton
An ex Pittenweem resident fears lives are being put at risk as he is receiving calls from people trying to contact the Fife fishing harbour nearly 400 hundred miles away in Brighton. .
Ron McDonald says he received numerous calls each week from people trying to contact the harbour master at Pittenweem. His number is appearing on Google under Pittenweem harbour as his holiday rental business was listed under the same name about 20 years ago.
He says the problem had got worse since he sold the business and relocated to England’s south coast in August 2021 and clams attempts to have the number removed proves fruitless search.
The 68 year old fears it could put lives at risk in urgent or emergency situations as calls may not reach the harbour master.
The problem came to light again during an incident recently when lifeboat crews were called to reports of a person overboard from a vessel close to Pittenweem harbour. Ron said, “I took several calls regarding the emergency which were from people wanting to speak directly to the harbour master. It’s a ludicrous situation with me sat in Brighton on the south coast of England taking calls regarding tide times to broken down boats and every other harbour matters you could think of. But it is crucial minutes totally wasted in emergency situations that could result in lives being out at risk and that is worrying.”
Ron says his Google business listing was changed from self-catering lets, to port authority last year but the number remains the same. Letters sent to Ron by Google suggests a number of solutions including closing the listings or changing the business category.
But Ron claims that would result in the harbour incorrectly being listed as closed and the contact number still being visible to anyone who searches.
He added “I never would have imagined there would be such difficulty in removing a number but it seems impossible to do so.”
The Fife harbour comes under the jurisdiction of Fife council which says it is aware of the issue but the responsibility lies with Ron and Google to have the matter resolved. It also says the correct number can be found on the council website.
Lifeboat stand down
Emergency crews stood down after reports of a person over board from a vessel off the Fife coast were found to be a false alarm.
Both lifeboats from Anstruther station were launched after the alarm was raised. It followed reports of a person having fallen from a vessel in the firth of forth close to Pittenweem.
An HM coastguard spokesman said, “We received an alert of a person overboard and in the water close to Pittenweem. Both lifeboats from Anstruther station were launched.”
The two lifeboats located the vessel a short time later, where it was found a rescue was not required.
The coastguard spokesman said, “Both lifeboats were returned to their station following what was a false alarm with good intent.”
Coastwatch St Monans busy
Coastwatch St Monans had a busy month in December helping to search and rescue seals and keeping an eye on a windsurfer reported in trouble.
The first call was to Ruby bay near Elie when the team was requested by HM Coastguards to assist the SSPCA to search for an injured seal reported on rocks near Elie light house. The St Monans team assembled and made their way to the reported location where they met the SSPCA inspector and made their way to the location where a search was carried out. After a search others discovered the seal had made its own way back to the sea. Shortly after it was spotted in the water heading east.
The coastwatch volunteers were alerted by HM Coastguards to assist the SSPCA once again to reports of a baby seal on rocks near Pittenweem. The team made its way to the scene and discovered the baby seal. After close inspection it was found the baby seal was not injured and the SSPCA inspector left it on the rocks. .
The team also requested to keep an eye on a windsurfer who was reported to be in trouble. The windsurfer came ashore safely and all services were stood down.
Coastwatch St Monans team for the above callouts were John Kinsman operations manager, Anne Kinsman deputy manager, John McLean, Bob McDonald, Karen Dobson, Cameron McDonald, and Beth McLean.
