Sussex Volunteers
(Nautilus UK Telegraph)

08 January 2008

The Maritime Volunteer Service’s East Sussex Unit is one of the largest and most active of the 40 or so units based around the UK coast, and is looking back on a particularly busy and successful year. Based at Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne, and with around 40 members, it is also leading the way in encouraging membership of Nautilus UK within the MVS.

Back in the spring, Nautilus UK industrial officer Gavin Williams visited the unit on one of its Tuesday training nights and talked to MVS members about the benefits of joining Nautilus and the special arrangements that have been made for members with qualifications such as yachtmasters, and who only go to sea as MVS volunteers, to benefit from a reduced rate. Gavin stressed the advantages, especially for those acting as skippers of small craft, in joining the Union — particularly if they were ever involved in an accident. Subsequently four more volunteers joined Nautilus UK. The hope is to encourage more MVS members from this unit and around the country to join over the next year or so.

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 Nautilus UK Telegraph - Full Article (08 January 2008)

Maritime corps ready for action
(Great Yarmouth Mercury)

03 January 2008

The recent tidal surge and threat of flooding in Great Yarmouth put the town's Maritime Volunteer Service (MVS) on high alert.

Ernie Artis, the service's head of unit, said its “Rigflex” motor boat was poised for action should it have been needed during the emergency.

And, although they could have coped, they are looking for more volunteers to train from the Yarmouth and Gorleston areas.

The group meets every Wednesday evening to provide high quality training both ashore and afloat to recognised naval standards.

The service was formed phoenix-like, from the ashes of the national Naval Auxiliary Service (NAS) which disbanded in 1994. There are currently more than 20 units of the MVS around the UK.

Mr Artis, 45, was a former seaman with the NAS. He said new blood was essential to the established unit with volunteers ready and trained to support the navy to guard ships and assist if a vessel becomes beached.

Volunteers would never be sent to a war zone.

Mr Artis added: “Currently we have 10 members and we would like to swell this figure. Our standards are recognised by the Royal Navy. We provide training that is interesting, practical, is often fun and always safe.

“We need to maintain a corps of trained volunteers capable of supporting maritime authorities ashore and afloat. It can sometimes be quite exciting.”

As well as the regular weekly meetings, the team also has access to a former RAF vessel, berthed in Ipswich which is shared by other units in Suffolk and Essex.

Mr Artis said: “We have the use of the 63ft Anglian Volunteer. She has quite a history as when used by the RAF, she saw service in Aden (now Yemen) and other parts of the world.”

New members, who must be over 18, need no maritime skills as these will be taught, but Mr Artis added that an experienced mariner might like to join and pass on their skills to other members.

The MVS gets afloat for training whenever it can, and it also provides crews and operation room teams as a back-up for the Royal Navy. Skills taught include seamanship with navigation and watch-keeping, engineering with simple engineering theory from outboard motors to engine room watch-keeping, to the engineer in charge of larger vessel, and shore support which includes chart work, map-reading, communications and message handling.

Volunteers meet at berth 10 at South Denes in a portable building, every Wednesday between 7.30pm and 10pm. There is an annual membership fee of £30 with £2 a week subs. Anyone interested can call Mr Artis on 01493 851875.

Tay trip boats back in docks
(Dundee Courier)

16 November 2007

Marigot and Badger are back in Victoria Dock having carried over 1700 passengers during the course of their popular trips on the Tay run from Dundee by the Maritime Volunteer Service.

This season’s sea and river-borne excursions included the rescue of a young family from a broken-down vessel and a dolphin trip for Rowan Atkinson, Clive Anderson and their families.

The ever-popular dolphins made regular appearances in the outer estuary accompanied towards the middle of September by several very young calves.

Those fortunate enough to see them were entranced by the sight of mother and offspring spontaneously swimming together quite close to the boats.

The trips to Perth, apart from the spectacular scenery and rich historical interest, also featured the occasional appearance of an osprey, on one occasion carrying a large salmon or sea-trout.

Several special excursions were provided, including one for the archaeologists who found the remarkable Carpow logboat and a dolphin trip where Mr Bean star Rowan Atkinson had a go at steering Marigot.

Rowan was joined by TV presenter Clive Anderson, Blackadder’s David Lloyd and their families.

The group showed a keen interest in the history of the Tay, Scotland’s longest river, and were particularly interested in the story of the Tay Bridge disaster.

There was also drama during a dolphin-spotting trip in August when Marigot was diverted to rescue a young family from a broken-down vessel just off Tayport.

A member of the public had seen the stricken launch and made a 999 call.

When the coastguard asked for any vessels in the area to assist, Marigot was only about 1.5 miles away.

Marigot was returning from her last trip of the day with passengers onboard and was able to take the launch, Maid Marian, which had an engine fault, in tow to a point off Broughty Ferry.

There, the tow to Newport was completed by sister ship MVS Badger.

Those on the Maid Marian were none the worse for their experience.

The next season will begin in May 2008.

Inspired by the discovery of a photograph in Dundee Central Library, the feasibility of excursions to the Bridge of Earn is under examination.

The photograph, which will ultimately be included on the library’s Photopolis website, shows a paddle steamer berthed just downstream from the old bridge, since demolished.

Subject to survey by smaller vessels, it is likely that Badger will be capable of making this passage.

Once operating and maintenance costs have been met, all proceeds from the Tay River Trips are devoted to the Taymara Project for training vulnerable groups www.taymara.org and to the restoration of the North Carr Lightship.

MVS celebrates the "Nelson touch"
(Hastings Observer)

29 October 2007

The Royal Navy of today needs to do as Nelson did and ensure that it has the backing of government and public in order to fulfil its role, volunteers have been told.

The occasion was the annual Trafalgar night dinner of the East Sussex Sovereign Harbour Mess (formerly the Bexhill Mess) of the Maritime Volunteer Service Cinque Ports Division at Bexhill Sailing Club last Friday.

The MVS was founded following the disbandment of the Royal Naval Auxiliary Service to ensure that the nation has a core of people trained in seamanship in time of need.

The key toast to The Immortal Memory was proposed by guest of honour. Lt Cdr. Tom Boeckx, RN, commander of HMS Puncher and the London University Unit - "probably the best job in the Navy…"
Weapons and tactics had advanced tremendously in the intervening 202 years. "But the mastery of those by Naval officers is still an absolute requirement.

"But importantly, today's Navy needs to be governed by people who have a sound understanding of policy and politics and international relations."

As Nelson's navy had done, it had to work under financial constraints . "But, importantly, there is also a need to publicise ourselves because we recruit from the population of this country.

"Though after 200 years the methods we use may have changed the basic tenets remain the same."
He wrote innumerable letters and well understood the importance of political support.

"We don't have the technological and numerological advantages that we used to have but nonetheless I strongly believe that the Royal Navy is still the best navy in the world.

"We punch massively above our weight and we are held in extremely high regard by most other navies."

He added: "It doesn't matter how good you are or how good you are thought to be by our allies and by our potential enemies across the world. We cannot achieve anything if we do have the support of the British public who give us the mandate to act and the financial support to continue and from who we recruit our sailors and airmen.

"And that is where your organisation and my organisation and others represented here today come into play."

Britain remained wholly dependent today on its overseas trade and therefore on its ability to maintain the freedom of the seas.

Contrasting state spending on defence with thaton other sectors, he added: "It is that message that we need to get across..."

The Union Flag, the White Ensign and the flags of the Maritime Volunteer Service, Coastguard and RNLI lined the walls of Bexhill Sailing Club for the occasion.

Members and guests were greeted at the door with a tot of rum. Under Master of Ceremonies Chief Volunteer Ray Craig, the proceedings had begun with the reading by Leading Volunteer Keith Johnson, of Nelson's prayer, written on the eve of battle, and the Naval Grace, given by Able Volunteer Lisa Cruse.

The Loyal Toast had been proposed by Volunteer Lt. Tom Bloor.

The welcome to the guests was given by Chief Volunteer Greg Darby and the Appreciation by the Vice Commodore of Bexhill Sailing Club, Geoff Furlong.

The Naval Prayer was led by Volunteer Lt. Eddie Oades.

Following tradition, the evening concluded with the singing of sea shanties.

Emergency Teams in River Exercise
(Port of London Authority/MVS London Unit)

15 October 2007

A simulated explosion in a ship’s engine room put crews from the Port of London Authority, the emergency services, Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the Maritime Volunteer Service to the test during an exercise on the River Thames last week.

The scenario centred on a fire aboard a Cobelfret ferry, downstream of the QEII Bridge on the Dartford side of the Thames. The vessel had fake casualties, was pretending to have trouble manoeuvring, and was suffering a mock fuel leak.

The Port of London Authority, Kent Fire Brigade, HM Coastguard, the RNLI, South East Coast Ambulance Service and Kent Police took part alongside vessel owners, Cobelfret; its manager, Maritime London member, Euroship Services; terminal operators CdMR; Svitzer Marine and the Maritime Volunteer Service.

The exercise crews were tasked with rescuing the casualties, tackling the fire, ensuring the safety of other vessels, and stemming the oil leak. Part of the exercise involved handling press inquires and and arranging for TV camera crews to cover the incident. “Journalists” and a TV camera man were taken afloat by the Maritime Volunteer Service on its launch Londinium 1, allowing the emergency response teams to get on with their work unhindered.

Port of London Authority chief harbour master, David Snelson, said: “Safety’s our top priority and we work hard to ensure incidents don’t happen in the first place. However, it’s important to be prepared for the worst, and that’s what this exercise was about. Today’s practice helped us identify ways of improving our game, so that we’re properly prepared should a real incident happen. It’s rare to have the opportunity to use a real ship for an exercise and, on behalf of everyone involved, we would like to thank Cobelfret for their involvement.”

Euroship Managing Director, Frank Davies, said: “Any incident on the Thames involves a number of emergency services, so it is really important for them to have the chance to practice working together. As a major customer of the Port, with more than 6,000 vessel movements on the river every year Cobelfret were happy to take part in the exercise.”

Master Brew takes to the waves
(Thanet Gazette)

04 September 2007

The Thanet Maritime Volunteer Service has a new boat courtesy of Kent brewers Shepherd Neame.

The Master Brew named after one of Neame's ales, was delivered on Tuesday

Neames chief executive Jonathan Neame called the volunteers local heroes, adding: "They work tirelessly giving their free time to keep the community safe and we are extremely proud to provide their new boat."

Worth about £4,000, the vessel will be used to train volunteers in maritime safety skills, supporting the RNLI and Coastguard and enabling them to respond to emergencies suchs as flooding more effectively.

Geoff Shaw-Case, a port volunteer, said: "We may be small but as an organisation we're nationally recognised and the new boat is a very important item for our unit here in Thanet. We are looking for an engine now."

Despite its low key image, the Maritime Volunteer Service has a growing repuation.

Mr Shaw-Case said: "Most officers are ex-Royal Navy but the majority of members come from all walks of life, even students and housewives."

Prince presents Les with maritime honour
(Hastings Observer)

09 February 2007

Maritime Volunteer Service founder trustee and Bexhill resident Les Quilty has been awarded a special signed certificate of thanks from the charity's patron HRH Prince Michael of Kent.

Les played a key role in setting up the MVS in 1994 and helped guide it at national level for more than a decade in a number of senior positions, reaching the rank of Volunteer Commander.

His contribution was recognised at the MVS's recent national conference in Llandudno where he was presented with the royal certificate and also a plaque from the membership of the MVS.

While Les has stepped down as a trustee and senior manager, he continues to serve the organisation he was instrumental in setting up as East Sussex' principal lecturer in navigation and seamanship.

Head of Unit Hugh Gallagher said: "We are very fortunate that such an experienced mariner as Les is prepared to share his knowledge and experience with us. Not only is Les a fully qualified RYA yachtmaster instructor but his practical experience as a skipper, including long ocean passages in small vessels, makes him the ideal person to examine potential skippers for our Sovereign Harbour-based, 17.5 metre training vessel East Sussex 1."

Les, a former Royal Marine, said: "I believe in the MVS because we play an important part in keeping our maritime heritage alive and also we are ready to provide well-disciplined, skilled and uniformed volunteers to assist the authorities when required by carrying out a wide range of tasks at sea, in harbours and along the coast.

"With our fleet of craft like East Sussex 1 based all around the country we provide safety cover at major events such as last year's International Fleet Review at Portsmouth. Locally we are marshals for the annual RNLI Regatta which takes place over the August bank holiday weekend and, of course, we actually take on the running of the highly successful Sovereign Harbour Fun Weekend in June.

Anybody interested in joining the unit should contact 01323 768998, no experience is required.