Posts Tagged ‘Maritime and Coastguard Agency’
Lanterns vs Flares
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Focus produces, hosts and manages MCA Video News Podcasts for the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
This latest podcast shows the dangerous confusion caused by launching Chinese Lanterns, because they look very similar to Emergency Flares used by mariners. They also cause serious problems for farmers, with animals ingesting the wire frames of the lanterns when they fall on to farmland.
MCA is campaigning for Chinese Lanterns to be prohibited near the coast, and the National Farmers Union is campaigning to have the launching of Chinese Lanterns prevented over farm land.
Viewing figures show that MCA Podcasts reach a growing audience worldwide, especially among the maritime community, with a cost per view falling below 90 pence including production costs, making for great ROI.
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Flying the Flag! The UK Ship Register
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This edition of the monthly MCA Video News Podcasts explains why membership of the UKSR is such a benefit for ship owners.
USELESS UNLESS WORN!
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This latest podcast features the tragic experience of Jane Dolby from Essex, a widow who lost her fisherman husband to the sea. Because he was not wearing a lifejacket, he did not survive. Furthermore his body was never found, resulting in a terrible legal battle for Jane.
Tom Smith from Fife was wearing his lifejacket and he did survive when his fishing boat sank. Neil Murray from Looe in Cornwall also lived to tell his story.
But a great many fishermen have been lost at sea – 112 since 2000, and in 2009 alone there have been a further 9 fatalities among fishermen. Many of these tragedies may have been prevented had they been wearing lifejackets.
It’s essential to get this message across. Gerry Wood, Coastguard Sector Manager, South East Cornwall said: ‘We are not telling fishermen anything that they do not already know. What we are saying is – if you end up in the water, a lifejacket may give you your best chance of staying alive.’
