News

Rare starfish protected after shipwreck

Published

9 years ago

December 30, 2015

Sarah-Jane Absalom

CKS

A SPOKESMAN for Natural Resources Wales has praised NRW and other agencies for their handling of a fishing boat which sank near a Special Area of Conservation, threatening an extremely rare starfish. The crabbing boat CKS hit rocks near Sheep Island on October 28. The collision caused a 2-3 metre gash below the port side of the boat, which meant the crew of 5 had to abandon the ship and be taken to shore by Angle Lifeboat.

Over the next few days the owners attempted to salvage the vessel but were unsuccessful. The ship sank off the south point of West Angle beach and was completely submerged at high water. The vessel posed a big risk to shipping so the insurers and The Port of Milford Haven appointed Braemar Howells, a local specialist company, to salvage the wreckage. The sa yl ors had a choice between towing the boat to Pembroke Dock or beaching it at West Angle and dismantling it there. Both these options required refloating the vessel. Because of the deterioration of the ship there was too much risk of losing control in the shipping channel from towing, so the beaching option was chosen.

Whilst this was the better option for salvaging the vessel it posed serious challenges for NRW because of how close a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) was and the potential impact from pollution to the Asterina phylactica, a tiny cushion starfish. It took several days for divers to attach straps and flotation bags; the vessel was raised on Friday 6th and towed into West Angle on the high tide. Robert Phillips, Pembrokeshire Natural Resources Manager, for NRW, said: “Unfortunately, these kinds of accidents can happen from time to time but it’s very important we do what we can to protect the immediate environment when they do.

“This incident was handled very successfully by NRW, we managed to minimise the potential pollution as well as avoid any damage to the SAC. “The starfish colony is one of two in Wales and one of only 6 in the UK so it’s great that our work helped ensure this one was unaffected.” Dismantling began on the morning of November 7. The ship was taken apart in sections that were loaded onto tractors and trailers headed for the waste segregation compound set up in the beach car park. The larger sections of the ship were dragged above the high tide line so that continuous dismantling wasn’t a problem. Thanks to this the vessel was moved from the beach to the compound within 12 hours.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.

Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.

Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.

(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

2 days ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

2 days ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.