News

New pilot boat welcomed

Published

10 years ago

February 29, 2016

St Brides: The first of three new pilot boats for the Haven

THE FIRST of three 19m pilot boats built by Mainstay Marine has been delivered to the Port of Milford Haven.

St Brides is the first finished boat of a £3.6m contract that is a flagship project for Mainstay Marine Solutions with delivery for the second and third due in April and July respectively. The vessels are an upgraded version of the ‘Picton’ Pilot Boat built by the company in 2006, and will serve the Haven waterway.

The 48 tonne vessels, designed by Camarc Design, are capable of reaching up to 14 knots with 12 persons on board. The craft are designed to be used extensively in heavy weather and are likely to operate in swells of 6m and significant wave height.

The vessels are expected to withstand 1,000 vessel boarding impacts over an average duty cycle of 2,500 hours per year.

Following a public competition, the pilot boats will be named after three significant landmarks within Pembrokeshire – ‘St Brides’, ‘St Govans’ and ‘St Davids’. The Harbourmaster at the Port of Milford Haven, Bill Hirst, said: “The names have great local relevance and we will be proud to put them on the water”.

Chief Executive of the Port of Milford Haven Alec Don said: “This substantial investment will provide the port with three identical modern state-of-the-art boats with full parts interchangeability. These boats, together with our highly skilled and trained crews constitute the backbone of our ability to provide a safe and reliable service to our customers 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The boats have been built to the highest possible standard on time and to budget here in Wales by Mainstay’.”

Stewart Graves, Managing Director of Mainstay Marine, added: “Mainstay has always prided itself on our reputation for quality. The amount of positive feedback on the finish of the Pilot boats has been particularly overwhelming. Continued repeat business for our Pilot Boat building expertise is testament to our finished product. We are grateful for the continued support from the Port.

Keel Marine was commissioned to oversee the build progress and report on key milestones.

“We knew that delivering three pilots boats consecutively would be demanding but our comprehensive skill base, both in design and directly during the build, have been instrumental in keeping to a tight time schedule,’’ Project Engineer, Jon Lewis said.

Mainstay Marine has fulfilled several challenging contracts within the last 12 months, including the launch of a 50 ton wind farm support vessel, a major refit of a multicat and fabrication and assembly of the recently deployed 230 ton Delta Stream device for Tidal Energy Ltd.

A naming ceremony will take place for all three vessels in late July this year.

Community

Community gathers to remember Corrina Baker

Published

6 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Lanterns and balloons released in emotional acts of remembrance

FAMILY, friends and members of the local community came together to remember Corrina Baker at a series of moving events held across west Wales this week.

Corrina’s funeral took place on Monday (Dec 15), a month after her death, with a public service held at St Mary’s Church. Mourners lined the route as her coffin was carried on its final journey in an elegant horse-drawn carriage, before a private cremation later took place at Parc Gwyn crematorium in Narberth.

Later that evening, shortly after 6:00pm, friends and relatives gathered at the Quayside in Cardigan for the first of two acts of remembrance to celebrate her life. Lanterns were lit and released into the night sky above the town as some of Corrina’s favourite songs were played.

On Tuesday afternoon (Dec 16), a second tribute was held near the location where Corrina was found. Twenty-one pink balloons — one for each year of her life — were released into a clear blue sky, each carrying personal messages in her memory.

Floral tributes continue to be laid at the Netpool, while a GoFundMe appeal set up in Corrina’s memory has raised more than £2,300. She has been described by those who knew her as “funny and bright”.

Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Baker’s death is ongoing. A 29-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail while inquiries continue.

(Photos: Stuart Ladd/Herald)

Community

Six untaxed vehicles seized in Milford Haven police operation

Published

6 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SIX untaxed and abandoned vehicles were seized during a joint roads policing operation in Milford Haven on Tuesday morning.

Officers from the Milford Haven Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team (NPPT) worked alongside the Pembrokeshire Roads Policing Team as part of targeted enforcement across the town.

In addition to the vehicle seizures, a number of traffic offence reports were issued to drivers during the operation.

Police said the action formed part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and tackle vehicle-related offences in the Milford Haven area.

Community

Candlelit carol service brings community together in Milford Haven

Published

6 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

ST KATHARINE and St Peter’s Church in Milford Haven hosted its annual Candlelit Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, bringing together members of the community for a traditional celebration of Christmas.

The service featured readings from the Mayor of Milford Haven, representatives of the Soroptimists, Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society, the Headteacher and Head Prefects of Milford Haven School, Milford Haven Town Band, and NCI Wooltack Point.

Music for the evening was provided by organist Seimon Morris, Milford Haven Town Band and the Milford Haven Cluster Band, whose performances added to the atmosphere of the candlelit service.

The Friends of St Katharine and St Peter’s Church thanked all those involved and wished the community a happy Christmas.