News

Milford Haven woman makes Coastguard history

Published

9 years ago

April 4, 2017

Tom Sinclair

Julie-Anne Wood: Making Coastguard history

A FORMER Coastguard Watch Assistant at Milford Haven has made history after becoming the first woman to attain the rank of Head of Maritime Operations in Her Majesty’s Coastguard.

Julie–Anne Wood began her Coastguard career as a part–time Coastguard Watch Assistant in the Pembrokeshire coastal town in 1999.

Now, she heads up the National Maritime Operations Centre in Fareham and the 10 Coastguard Operations Centres that co–ordinate search and rescue around the UK coast.

Speaking to the Herald, Julie said: “Starting my career as a Coastguard Watch Assistant in Milford Haven provided a great foundation for me to go on and achieve the promotions that I have.”

From her first position as a Watch Assistant, over the next nine years Julie would progress through the ranks to Watch Officer, Watch Manager, and Rescue Co–ordination Centre Manager.

In 2011 however, her career changed direction, with Julie fulfilling her long–term goal of becoming a Coastguard Technical Trainer within the HR team.

Two years later, she became Head of Technical Training and Standards and in 2014 she temporarily covered the role of Head of Maritime Operations – a position which up until then, had always been held by a man.

In January this year, she was appointed to the position permanently.

Julie says she didn’t set out to make HM Coastguard history, but rather, that it was just a natural advancement for her career. She said: “It’s a huge responsibility and a position that I’m very honoured to hold. What may have once been a male–dominated industry is very different these days.

“The Maritime and Corporate Agency has incorporated women in everything they do. In my experience, there have been no restrictions. I have never allowed my gender to get in the way of my career – that’s one of the great things about HM Coastguard – the only limits on women are those that are imposed by themselves.”

Julie added: “I am fortunate to be surrounded by an extraordinary team of strong women and men who are driven, talented and deliver an incredible service 24 hours a day.”

Despite her success, Julie says that her proudest moments are still ingrained in bringing people home to their families: “Every rescue if different, but the feeling you get when we’ve rescued someone in their darkest hours still makes a huge impression on me emotionally.

“There is no better feeling than seeing families reunited and know that you’ve played a part in that.”

Asked if she had fond memories of her time spent working in Milford Haven, Julie said: “Absolutely, my husband still lives in Milford Haven – I come home regularly, most weekends actually.

“My heart is always in Milford Haven, and Pembrokeshire, and always will be.”

Crime

Family pay tribute to 21-year-old woman found dead at Cardigan boat yard

Published

2 hours ago

November 16, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FAMILY of a young woman found dead at Netpool Boat Yard in Cardigan have paid tribute to her and urged anyone with information to come forward.

Corinna Baker, aged 21, was discovered at the boat yard shortly after midday on Saturday (Nov 15). A 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody.

In a statement released through Dyfed-Powys Police, her family said: “We as a family are distraught at the loss of our beloved Corinna. She was much loved and she will be greatly missed by her whole family and all those who were blessed to have known her.
We appeal to anyone who has any information, however small, to please come forward. We ask that everybody respects our privacy at this time and allows us to grieve in peace.”

Detective Superintendent Wayne Bevan, who is leading the investigation, said: “Our thoughts are with Corinna’s family at this understandably tragic time. We have specially trained officers supporting the family and ask that their privacy is respected.
I urge anyone with any information to please come forward and support our ongoing investigation.”

Officers are particularly keen to speak to anyone who was at Netpool Boat Yard between 9:00pm on Thursday (Nov 13) and the time Corinna was found.

A police cordon remains in place at the site, and an increased presence is expected in the area while enquiries continue.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police by calling 101 and quoting reference 144 of November 15.

Climate

Pembrokeshire Coastguard volunteers praised for Monmouth rescue work

Published

2 hours ago

November 16, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Broad Haven and Dale crews joined overnight response as Storm Claudia battered Wales

COASTGUARD volunteers from Broad Haven and Dale were among those praised for their role in rescuing residents during severe flooding in Monmouth as Storm Claudia brought chaos across Wales.

The HM Coastguard Area 13 Flood Team, made up of officers and trained volunteers from across South and West Wales, worked through the night on Friday and Saturday (Nov 14–15) to evacuate people trapped by rising water.

Among those deployed were Simon Ashton, from Dale Coastguard, and Daniel Church, from Broad Haven Coastguard. The pair joined colleagues from Penarth, Cardigan, Mumbles, Port Talbot, and Porthcawl as part of a multi-agency response involving fire, police, and ambulance services.

A message from NCI Wooltack Point commended the local effort, saying: “Well done Simon & Dan, teamwork all round.”

Major incident declared
A major incident was declared in Monmouth in the early hours of Saturday after “severe and widespread” flooding affected the town and surrounding communities. Firefighters and coastguard crews carried out rescues, evacuations, and welfare checks throughout the night, as up to a month’s rainfall fell in just 24 hours.

The Fire Brigades Union said fire and rescue services were “stretched to the limit” as Storm Claudia triggered more than 80 flood-related callouts overnight across South Wales.

Tireless efforts
HM Coastguard said its flood teams worked “tirelessly through the night” in difficult conditions, rescuing stranded residents and supporting emergency partners on the ground.

Area 13 Flood Team members included:
Rhodri Wake (Area Commander), Tom Larkin and Steve Matthews (Senior Coastal Operations Officers), Richard Hoyle (Chepstow), Keith Smith (Penarth), Richard Davies (Cardigan), Ricki Criger (Llantwit Major), Ellie Goss (Mumbles), Simon Ashton (Dale), Patrick Martin (Port Talbot), Jonathan Runnels (Porthcawl), Daniel Church (Broad Haven), and Mark Parkin (Duty Coastal Officer).

Community

Work begins at last on Motor World site – but at what cost?

Published

3 hours ago

November 16, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A community drop-in meeting will be held on Monday 17 November

AFTER years of delays, foundations are finally being poured at the former Motor World site on Charles Street, Milford Haven — but the price tag continues to raise eyebrows.

Contractors W B Griffiths & Sons Ltd have begun groundworks overlooking the Haven, marking the first visible progress in years. The scheme will deliver 24 affordable flats for over-55s, funded through Pembrokeshire County Council and the Welsh Government.

The project was initially approved in 2019 as a £2.9 million scheme for 15 flats. It is now budgeted at £6.7 million — more than £270,000 per unit.

Critics say the cost is eye-watering. Councillor Mike Stoddart told The Herald: “Persimmon Homes would build you one, including the land, roads, and a profit.”

Industry comparisons also highlight how far the project has drifted from normal benchmarks. Recent analysis found the Charles Street flats will cost around £5,300 per square metre, more than double the Welsh Government’s mid-range standard of £2,513/m².

The revised design has added an extra floor, meaning the building will appear four storeys high from Charles Street — and five from the rear due to the slope of the site. The steep gradient has complicated construction and contributed to cost inflation, council officers say.

A community drop-in meeting will be held tomorrow (Monday 17 Nov) from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at The Lord Nelson Hotel, giving residents a chance to question the council and contractors directly.

Locals have long called for the derelict site to be redeveloped, but the project’s spiralling budget has become a symbol of a wider concern — that “affordable” housing in Pembrokeshire is becoming anything but.