Marine News
Sent in by John Kinsman, operations manager of Coastwatch St Monans, Fife
Starfish
Hundreds of starfish have washed up on the Fife coastline. Up to 1000 of the sea creatures were discovered on a mile long stretch between Dysart and West Wemyss. Starfish can only survive for a few minutes out of water meaning several were already dead by the time they were found.
So far there is no clear explanation for the mass stranding, although there are suggestions that rough seas could be to blame.
The macabre discovery was made by a local man who said, “There must have been around 900 and a 1000 of them washed up on about a mile section between Dysart and West Wemyss. Some were moving so we put them back into the water but sadly a lot of them had been out of the water too long.
Marine correspondent John Kinsman says large strandings often occur after stormy weather when water currents become stronger and wash the starfish to the shore.
Lifeboat rescue vessel
A boat was rescued after going missing for several hours during its journey to Broughty Ferry. The RNLI was called into action after the vessel was reported overdue from its planned arrival in the Ferry. The boat, with two people on board was found at the mouth of the Day with mechanical trouble and towed to safety. There were no casualties.
The alarm was raised about 40 minutes after the Broughty Ferry crew had taken part in a training exercise on the Tay. The crew were still at the lifeboat station when the alarm was raised. A spokesman for Broughty Ferry lifeboat said: “Around 40 minutes after the exercise ended Broughty Ferry lifeboat was contacted by HM Coastguard. A boat with two people on board which was travelling from Peterhead to Broughty Ferry had failed to arrive at its destination. It was last seen passing Arbroath three hours earlier.”
The coastguards requested that the Broughty Ferry crews search an area between Broughty Ferry and Carnoustie. Arbroath lifeboat was also tasked to search the area between Arbroath and Carnoustie. The Broughty Ferry crew found the 40 foot ex pilot vessel after a short search. Lifeboat spokesman said the stricken vessel reported some mechanical issues.
Sea Queen Day
On July 15th, Coastwatch St Monans team provided safety cover for the annual St Monans Sea Queen Day which took place at the village harbour. Despite rain showers a large crowd of both locals and visitors gathered around the harbour and village playing fields where there was entertainment, stalls and demos.
The village Sea Queen and her royal party arrived at the harbour just after 12 30pm on board the local vessel The Reaper after which the sea queen and her party made their way accompanied by a pipe band to the town hall where she was crowned St Monans Sea Queen 2023.
Coastwatch St Monans team provided safety cover from 9am till 4pm at the harbour and playing fields. Coastwatch St Monans also had a stall giving out safety leaflets and selling raffle tickets in aid of team funds. They raised £125.
Team on duty were operations manager John Kinsman, deputy manager Anne Kinsman, team members John McLean, Bob MacDonald, Karen Dobson, Ian Duncan, Sue Johnstone, Cameron MacDonald, and Beth McLean.
Coastwatch Busy
Coastwatch St Monans have had a busy few weeks with summer visitors needing help. The team attended several incidents along the coastline they cover from Cellardyke to Largo bay a total of 12 miles.
The team were called to Elie harbour after reports that a windsurfer was in trouble in choppy seas. Team members assembled at their new station at Elie harbour and quickly got sight of the windsurfer and with help of local boat owner got him safety ashore. The windsurfer was unhurt.
The team also attended to an incident at Shell bay when a walker hurt their leg while walking on rocks. The team assisted paramedics in getting the walker to safety. The walker was taken to hospital suffering serious leg break.
Coastwatch St Monans also attended the search for a missing dog, and overdue yacht.
The team who attended were operations manager John Kinsman, deputy manager Anne Kinsman, 2nd assistant manager John McLean, and team members Ian Duncan, Bob McDonald, Karen Dobson, Beth McLean, Cameron McDonald, Sue Johnston. Well done all.
Destroyed Fishing boat
The family behind a Fife fishing business say their livelihood has been destroyed after their £50,000 fishing boat was deliberately and maliciously sunk by a man with a drill.
CCTV cameras have captured the moment the fishing boat The Tina Louise docked in Methil harbour was targeted by a hooded stranger in the early hours.
The culprit drilled holes into the hull of the vessel causing it to sink. Tina Coventry who runs the shellfish delivery service with her husband say they will be out of business for months as a result.
Tina said “My husband went to work at 530am. When he got there other members of the boat club told him your boat has been sunk. We had a look at the dock. It shows a young chap who climbs over the 10 foot security gate with a drill in his hand, walks directly to the boat and climbs on board, leans over the side and drills holes into the hull below the water line. He then climbs out, climbs over the security gates again and disappears into the night. It took him less than four minutes to destroy our livelihoods.”
The incident took place shortly before midnight. No one has been arrested at time of going to press.
Featured image shows kitesurfer in Elie Harbour
