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

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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

Sunshine, sparkle and spirit at Neyland Carnival 2025

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Crowds pack the streets for a colourful celebration of community and creativity

NEYLAND was transformed into a vibrant sea of colour and celebration today (Saturday, July 12) as the town’s annual carnival returned in spectacular style — and under glorious blue skies.

Starting at 1:00pm, the carnival procession wound its way through packed streets, with floats and walkers bursting with imagination, humour and local pride. Themed entries included everything from 1940s nostalgia and reggae celebrations to cartoon characters, The Thunderbirds car and even a military-style jeep escorting Winston Churchill himself (or at least a very convincing impersonator).

Youngsters aboard the Neyland Sports float cheered and waved to onlookers, while others handed out sweets, high-fived the crowd, and danced to booming music.

There were fancy dress costumes galore — from tiny tots in prams disguised as pirate ships to a full marching troupe of blue-suited cartoon postmen. Spectators were treated to a joyous mix of confetti, retro tunes and community cheer as each entry passed by.

After the parade, the fun continued on the Athletic Club field, with fairground rides, food stalls and live entertainment carrying the spirit of the carnival into the late afternoon.

One local resident said: “It’s the best carnival we’ve had in years. The effort people have put in is amazing — and the weather’s just made it perfect.”

Organisers were quick to thank all volunteers, stewards, sponsors, and parade participants for making the day such a roaring success.

The Herald will be sharing a full photo gallery online — so keep an eye out and tag your friends!

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Carmarthenshire police officer honoured for heroic rescue from burning car

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A CARMARTHENSHIRE police officer who risked his life to save a man trapped in a burning car has been recognised for his extraordinary bravery.

PC Jonathan Tatam, 33, leapt into action following a serious road traffic collision between a car and a tractor near Cynwyl Elfed last summer. The crash left a man trapped inside a vehicle that caught fire moments after the impact.

Without hesitation, PC Tatam ran to retrieve a fire extinguisher from his patrol car and rushed back towards the blaze.

Despite the intense heat and risk of explosion, he fought the flames long enough to reach the man, whose leg was pinned beneath the dashboard.

With the fire re-igniting and time running out, he dragged the man free from the wreckage just seconds before the vehicle became fully engulfed in flames.

Speaking after receiving a bravery award at the Dyfed-Powys Police Force Awards, PC Tatam said: “Watching the body-worn footage afterwards was quite surreal. It all happened so fast.

“I remember thinking, if I don’t do something now, this person is going to die. The man’s friends were pleading with us to help and I knew I couldn’t just stand by.

“It was incredibly hot, the car was close to a hedge and there was barely any room to manoeuvre. I was worried the fire would spread.”

Thanks to his quick thinking, PC Tatam was able to suppress the flames long enough for the trapped man to dislodge his leg.

“I thought if I could get the flames away from his legs, it might give him enough strength to free himself,” he said. “He was panicking and in pain, but the relief of the fire being off him must have helped.”

“About 30 seconds after we got him out, the whole car was ablaze. It doesn’t bear thinking about what could have happened if we’d been any slower.”

Once the man was safe, PC Tatam and his colleague, PC Catrin Jones, administered first aid and cleared the scene to allow other emergency services through. He also helped carry medical equipment to the casualty from the air ambulance, which later flew the man to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff with serious injuries including a broken femur and third-degree burns.

Reflecting on the incident, he said: “It didn’t really hit me until I got home that evening. I was grateful for the support from the force and my colleagues – especially Catrin, who was also outstanding on the day.”

PC Tatam, who only joined the police three years ago, added: “It’s lovely to be recognised so early on in my career. I never expected to be nominated, let alone win an award. I was just doing my job.”

“I’d always wanted to be a police officer and applied several times before finally getting in at 30. I joined to help others, but never expected something like this. I’m proud of the award – but even prouder that I was able to help save someone’s life.”

The bravery award, sponsored by Niche, was one of over 20 presented at the Dyfed-Powys Police Force Awards ceremony held at headquarters on Friday (July 4). PC Tatam has also been nominated for a national bravery award.

Brave officer: PC Jonathan Tatam was presented with a bravery award at police headquarters on Friday (Pic: Dyfed-Powys Police).

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Residents say Carmarthenshire risks becoming ‘Wild West’ of renewables

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Campaigners condemn Glyn Cothi wind farm plan as threat to landscapes and communities

A RESIDENTS’ group has hit out at plans for a major wind farm in north Carmarthenshire, warning that the county is being turned into the “Wild West” of renewable energy.

CRAiG Sir Gâr (Carmarthenshire Residents Action Group) has issued a strong objection to the proposed Glyn Cothi Wind Farm, a 162 MW development that would see turbines rise above the scenic Cothi Valley and Brechfa Forest.

The proposed scheme follows an earlier 48 MW wind farm at Llanllwni Mountain, rejected over a decade ago after a fierce campaign by local residents.

Concerns over damage to environment and tourism

The group says the development—three times the size of the rejected Llanllwni proposal—would “scar the landscape, wreck communities, and sound the death knell for many tourism businesses.”

They argue that thousands of tonnes of concrete and steel would be needed to construct turbine foundations, while extensive new roads and bridges would carve through the county’s historic rural heartlands. Residents fear access to parts of Brechfa Forest could also be lost due to new infrastructure.

Blame levelled at Welsh Government and County Council

Havard Hughes, spokesperson for CRAiG Sir Gâr, said the development is a direct result of planning policies laid out in the Welsh Government’s Future Wales 2040 strategy, which designated large parts of the county as suitable for industrial-scale wind energy.

“These proposals for Glyn Cothi were utterly predictable when the Welsh Government imposed an industrial wind zone on a third of Carmarthenshire,” Mr Hughes said. “This monstrous scheme will see turbines hundreds of feet high with aircraft warning lights blazing day and night. The dark skies of the Brechfa Forest and Cothi Valley will be gone forever—replaced by a permanent Net Zero glow.”

Mr Hughes also criticised Carmarthenshire County Council’s decision to scrap the Cothi Valley’s Special Landscape Area designation in its draft Local Development Plan, warning that this had left the area vulnerable to industrialisation.

‘Open season for turbines and pylons’

The group further claims that local authorities have removed protections from 18 landscapes across the county while also investing the council’s pension fund in energy infrastructure firms.

“It’s no wonder that one of the largest electricity substations in the UK is being planned for Llandyfaelog,” Mr Hughes said. “It’s open season for turbines and pylons in an area larger than the width of Greater London.”

Calling for a moratorium on individual energy schemes, CRAiG Sir Gâr is urging Welsh and local government to consider the cumulative impact of multiple renewable energy projects across Carmarthenshire.

Background information

  • The Glyn Cothi Wind Farm would generate 162 MW of electricity.
  • The recently proposed Nant Mithil development by Bute Energy is expected to generate 198 MW, using steel pylons across Carmarthenshire.
  • By comparison, the existing Brechfa Forest wind farm produces 57.4 MW and uses wooden poles.
  • Page 94 of Future Wales 2040 outlines the areas designated for large-scale wind development in Carmarthenshire.
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