Community

Port issues warning following night time near miss between ferry and speedboat

Published

4 years ago

October 3, 2021

MILFORD HAVEN PORT AUTHORTITY has issued a warning following a night time near miss between the twice-daily running Isle of Inishmore ferry and a small speed boat.

Notwithstanding the dangers caused by the near miss the Port have remided those using the waterway that breaching safety regulations could lead to a £50,000 fine or two years in prison.

The incident took place at around 00:30 hours in mid-July, the twice-daily running Isle of Inishmore ferry was on a steady course 050 degrees between Wear Spit beacon and Carr Spit beacon.

Calm weather conditions, calm seas and no moon. During the approach to Carr Spit beacon she started to alter course to starboard.

At the same time the Master spotted small waves on the surface in the area of Carr Spit No2 buoy. Immediately the bridge team started to search for a source of the waves. Shortly after, they spotted a small speed boat without any navigation lights passing Carr Spit beacon and crossing their bow approximately 20 meters ahead.

The Isle of Inishmore was making approximately 10 knots at this point and the small speed boat passed their port side less than 10 metres off. The Master immediately arrested the swing to starboard to avoid hitting the small craft with the stern.

The lookout on the port wing shortly after reported the boat passing clear, so the Inishmore regained her swing to starboard to follow the safe water channel and berthed safely at Pembroke Dock Ferry Terminal

The Port said in it’s 2020 Leisure Safety Digest: “This was potentially a very serious incident. Had the Isle of Inishmore not been vigilant in spotting the wake of the small craft, her stern could easily have collided with the small vessel. What many do not realise is that when large vessels are making a turn, their stern will swing correspondingly to the other side. In addition to this, her wash could have caused the small craft to capsize. In the dark, even in summer, the chances of survival are minimal. Cold water shock can cause heart attacks, even in the relatively young and healthy.

“Leisure vessels often assume that because they can see a commercial vessel, the commercial vessel can see them. Often this mistake is compounded by failing to assess closing speeds accurately, thinking that the larger vessel is going slower than it is. This combination of factors serves to put the leisure vessel in close quarters with the commercial vessel and in an extremely dangerous and vulnerable position. We assume that the leisure vessel on this occasion hadn’t planned to be in such close proximity in the dark, perhaps it was this misjudgement that found it there. A lack of situational awareness contributes to 22.5% of near misses in UK waters annually.

“The Merchant Shipping Act 1995 and, in particular, the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972 (COLREGS) Part C – Lights and Shapes apply in this context and state in Rule 23 that a power driven vessel of less than 12 metres in length should exhibit an all round white light and sidelights. Annex 1 covers the positioning and technical details of lights and shapes. Part A Rule 1. makes clear that the regulations apply to all vessels upon the high seas and in all waters connected therewith navigable by seagoing vessels.

“How well do you think you stand out on a large vessel’s radar? The simple answer is not very well at all. Small fibreglass or plastic vessels are virtually impossible to spot on radar as they rarely give a return. For radar to pick you up, you need to be larger and preferably metal. One way you can help is by fitting AIS ‘B’ to your vessel or another solution is the installation of an ‘Active See Me’ radar target enhancer so increasing your vessel’s radar cross section.

“Not withstanding the inherent danger, it must also be noted that breaching the ‘COLREGS’ leaves the master of a vessel liable to prosecution under the Merchant Shipping Act, which on a guilty verdict would leave the master facing a fine of up to £50,000 and/or a prison sentence of up to 2 years.”

Community

Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes

Published

18 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service held its annual Charity Carol Service on Wednesday (Dec 10) at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel in Crymych.

The event brought together members of the local community alongside Fire Service staff for an evening of carols, readings and festive refreshments, marking the Christmas season in a warm and inclusive atmosphere.

This year’s service supported two important charities — the Fire Fighters Charity and Cancer Research Wales — with all proceeds going directly towards their ongoing work.

A total of £597 was raised on the night, which will be shared equally between the two charities.

The Service thanked the congregation at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel for hosting the event, as well as everyone who gave their time, support and generosity to make the evening such a success.

Community

3 Amigos toy bike run under way across Pembrokeshire

Published

19 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Castle Inn fun runners back festive charity event

THE ANNUAL 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run is under way this afternoon (Saturday), with hundreds of motorcyclists setting off from Pembroke to raise funds for children’s services.

Riders gathered at The Commons car park in Pembroke from around midday before departing shortly after 1:00pm. The festive convoy is travelling along its traditional route, taking in Pembroke Dock and continuing through parts of the county including Neyland, Milford Haven and Haverfordwest.

The event is organised by the 3 Amigos and Dollies Motorcycle Group and has become a much-anticipated Christmas tradition in west Wales, with toys and donations collected for children receiving care within the Hywel Dda University Health Board area.

Also supporting the event are fun runners from the Castle Inn in Pembroke, who have been fundraising in aid of the 3 Amigos. The group are pictured alongside participants from today’s run.

The 3 Amigos have been raising funds for children’s wards and health charities for more than twenty-five years, with their Easter and Christmas events continuing to make a positive difference to young patients and their families.

Organisers have thanked the public for their support and asked road users to be mindful of the large convoy as it passes through towns and villages this afternoon.

Photo caption:
Festive fundraising: Fun runners from the Castle Inn, Pembroke, pictured supporting the 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run (Pic: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Special delivery of thanks as MP visits Haverfordwest sorting office

Published

2 days ago

December 12, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Christmas cheer for posties working through the festive rush

A CHRISTMAS message of thanks was delivered in person this week as Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell paid a visit to Royal Mail staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office.

The MP met postal workers during one of the busiest periods of the year, praising staff for their hard work in ensuring cards, parcels and gifts reach homes across Pembrokeshire in the run-up to Christmas.

Mr Tufnell said postal workers were going “above and beyond” throughout the year, but particularly during the festive period when demand is at its highest and delivery rounds are often made in challenging weather conditions.

He described postal staff as “unsung heroes”, highlighting their role in keeping communities connected and helping families stay in touch at a time when it matters most.

Speaking after the visit, Mr Tufnell said: “Our posties play a vital role in our community, and at Christmas that importance is felt more than ever. They work incredibly hard to make sure gifts and cards from loved ones arrive safely and on time.”

Staff at the Haverfordwest site were pictured alongside the MP, with some embracing the festive spirit in Christmas jumpers and seasonal outfits while continuing their daily work.

The MP also extended his thanks to postal workers across the whole of Pembrokeshire, acknowledging the dedication required to keep services running smoothly during the seasonal rush.

Royal Mail experiences its highest parcel volumes in December, with thousands of additional items passing through local sorting offices each day as Christmas approaches.

Delivering Christmas cheer: Henry Tufnell MP with staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office during a festive visit (Pic: Facebook).