News
Official report into Joanna C tragedy released
AN OFFICIAL report has revealed the heartbreaking final moments of a Pembrokeshire fisherman who died as his ship sank.
Ship’s mate Robert Morley, was thrown into the sea in the early hours of November 21, 2020, when the Joanna C capsized off the coast of Newhaven.
Mr Morley, 38, lived in Llangolman and Clarbeston Road with his fiancée and two children but worked away on fishing boats for extended periods of time.
Robert’s fiancée, Natasha Croydon, said that Robert had intended on leaving at Christmas and “he was just doing it one last time to have a fantastic Christmas and we never got that.”
Captain David Bickerstaff, 34, was pulled from the sea hours later, the sole survivor of the tragedy, which also sadly claimed the life of 26-year-old deckhand, Adam Harper.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) discovered that there was a life raft on the ship, but it did not inflate, which “adversely affected the survivability of the crew”.
The MAIB investigation, which was released earlier this summer, reveals how the scallop dredger ran into trouble after being entangled in a line of whelk pots.
After Robert was thrown into the cold sea, David and Adam became trapped in the bunk room for approximately 40 minutes.
Shortly before 6am, David started to notice the ship sinking and opened an escape hatch, telling Adam they needed to get out.
David luckily managed to escape the sinking ship but Adam remained trapped inside as it went down.
The report stated: “When the vessel started to sink, the skipper was able to escape, which was fortunate given the darkness and likely obstructions in his path.
“However, the deckhand remained trapped.
“Once the vessel had begun to sink water ingress to the crew accommodation was likely rapid, denying the deckhand any opportunity to escape.”
David found Mr Morley in the water and the pair were able to see “the lights off other fishing vessels nearby”.
Sadly, before he could be rescued, Robert “succumbed to the cold and drifted away, leaving the skipper holding on to the lifebuoy”.
The report said: “The mate was tangled in an orange rope attached to the lifebuoy and was very cold.
“While attempting to untangle the mate, his lifejacket was removed and was lost.
“The consequent loss of dexterity and useful movement in his arms and legs meant that he could not maintain his hold on the lifebuoy, which was his only means of support following the loss of his personal flotation device.
“Without support, the mate’s ability to maintain his head and airway above the water was lost and he likely slipped below the surface and drowned.”
It is unknown how long Robert was in the water before he died.
The report estimates it could have been anywhere up to 3 hours 45 minutes after the boat capsized.
“After one hour in the water, the mate was within the window for exhaustion, unconsciousness, and death from hypothermia,” the report continued.
“Without the support afforded by a personal floatation device or the shelter of a life raft, his chances of survival were significantly reduced.”
When the Joanna C got into trouble, the boat’s emergency radio went off, alerting the coastguard.
A large search was undertaken, and David was eventually rescued from the ocean around 8.50 a.m.
Divers discovered Adam’s 26-year-old body five days later.
The following month, Robert’s body was discovered washed up near Bexhill.
Writing on Facebook, his stepfather, Barry Woolford, from Brixham, said: “To all the beautiful people of Brixham, it is with much sadness that I have to inform you that our son Robert Morley has been identified as the body that was brought from the sea at Bexhill in December.
“Thank you all for your fantastic support and love these past 12 weeks.”
Crime
Police appeal for information after several tractors stolen
POLICE officers in Pembrokeshire investigating a theft from several tractors, which happened overnight between April 17-18, 2024.
The tractors had been in a field near to Loch Turfin, Haverfordwest.
Included in the stolen items were vehicle keys, tools and waterproof clothing.
A spokesperson said “Police are now appealing for anyone with information that could help them with their investigation to contact PC 772 Boyt either through a direct message on social media, online at: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing [email protected] or by calling 101.
“Quote reference: 24*355571”
Community
Pembrokeshire firefighters help deliver fire engines to Ukraine
FIRE services from across the United Kingdom have rallied together to donate vital firefighting equipment to Ukraine, amidst ongoing conflicts that have seen local fire stations and firefighters come under direct attack.
The Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) was at the forefront of this international goodwill effort, donating three fire appliances and dispatching nine of their personnel to ensure safe delivery.
The initiative, coordinated by Fire Aid UK, involved a total of 11 UK fire services. Over a grueling 5.5-day journey that spanned several countries—starting from Kent Fire and Rescue Service and moving through France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and into Poland—33 fire appliances were transported to a location just 20 miles from the Ukraine border. They left Kent on April 23.
This convoy, laden with not just fire engines but also 3000 items of critical firefighting gear including cutting equipment, fire hoses, first aid kits, and generators, was a sight of resilience and humanitarian commitment. Watch Manager Rob MakePeace, a Business Fire Safety Officer, and Watch Manager Keith Jenkins, who is retired but still oversees part-time personnel at Haverfordwest, played pivotal roles in the operation from Pembrokeshire.
Speaking on the experience, Keith Jenkins expressed the profound impact of the mission, “It was a fantastic experience to be involved in. The convoy itself was an amazing sight, but the people we met, places we stayed and the reason we were delivering the appliances was something we will remember for a long time.”
The donation comes at a critical time for Ukraine, where daily attacks have not only jeopardized the lives of local firefighters but have also devastated much of the essential infrastructure needed to fight fires effectively. The additional appliances and equipment from the UK are expected to significantly bolster the capabilities of the Ukrainian fire departments, providing them with the necessary tools to save lives and protect property under dire circumstances.
This act of generosity and the strenuous efforts by the UK firefighters underscore a deep commitment to aiding those in peril, transcending borders and showcasing the best of international cooperation and humanitarian assistance.
News
Protest outside Stephen Crabb’s office over Rwanda deportations
SUPPORTERS of West Wales Stand Up to Racism group will attend a protest outside the office of Stephen Crabb MP in Market Street at 6pm on Tuesday evening (May 7).
The protest is to highlight the inhumane scheme to send refugees to Rwanda.
Since the Rwanda Bill was finally passed last week, refugees have already been identified, detained and are being prepared to be flown to Rwanda to have their asylum claims processed there.
Rushi Sunak has said “To detain people while we prepare to remove them, we’ve increased detention spaces to 2,200.
“To quickly process claims, we’ve got 200 trained, dedicated caseworkers ready and waiting. To deal with any legal cases quickly and decisively, the judiciary has made available 25 courtrooms and identified 150 judges who could provide over 5,000 sitting days.”
The protestors are asking: why is all this money being spent when these vulnerable people could have their asylum claims dealt with in the UK?
If the Prime Minister hoped his Rwanda plan would help get more votes for the Conservative Party in the recent elections, it would appear he was mistaken.
A new report from the Refugee Council warns that the UK Government’s flagship Illegal Migration Act and Rwanda Plan will lead to another catastrophic “system meltdown”, trapping over 100,000 people in permanent limbo while costing taxpayers billions.
West Wales Stand Up to Racism has campaigned against the Government’s plan to send refugees to Rwanda from the time this scheme was first suggested.
Supporters have previously met with Simon Hart MP and attempted to deliver a giant postcard to his office.
The group has taken part in the online Hands in Protest project organised by Artisan Avenue, Tenby which allowed everyone to express on line how they felt about Rwanda by submitting drawings of their own hands. The collective Hands In Protest gives a powerful message that the Rwanda plan should be stopped.
The organisers said: “Supporters will be once more taking the giant postcard on Tuesday, to protest about the Rwanda scheme. We will have small post cards for supporters to write messages to Stephen Crabb, telling him how strongly we feel about this.
“All over the UK, anti-racists are picketing Home Office buildings to show their opposition to the Rwanda scheme and are trying to prevent arrests and giving support to the refugees being arrested and detained.
“West Wales Stand Up to Racism supporters want to make their voices heard too.”
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