News

Coastguard’s new communications network will boost lifesaving capabilities

Published

1 year ago

August 27, 2024

MILFORD HAVEN Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), one of Wales’ two specialist rescue coordination centres, is now operating on a state-of-the-art communications network designed to enhance the UK’s coastguard services.

The new network, part of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s (MCA) ambitious Radio Network Infrastructure Replacement Programme (RNIR), connects 163 remote radio sites and ensures that the Coastguard can continue to respond effectively to emergencies along the UK’s coastline.

The upgraded network, which utilises a combination of full-fibre and microwave technology, is intended to improve both the bandwidth and security of communications across the 11,000 miles of coastline managed by the Coastguard. The first installations of this network began in December 2020, with locations such as Bincleaves, Lee-on-the-Solent, Crystal Palace, Humber, Bridlington, and Brighton Marina among the initial sites to transition to the new system. Now, with the infrastructure stretching from the Shetland Islands to the Isles of Scilly, the project has reached a significant milestone.

Assistant Chief Coastguard Matthew Leat highlighted the importance of the new network, stating, “The national radio network is integral in supporting our mission of preventing the loss of life on the coast and at sea, enhancing our ability to respond to emergencies across the UK.”

The RNIR programme represents a significant investment by the MCA, with over £175 million allocated to the replacement of the legacy copper-based network, which is becoming increasingly outdated. The new technology brings considerable improvements, including increased security and bandwidth, which will now allow the Coastguard to integrate advanced search and rescue technologies that require a digital connection. These improvements are seen as crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of life-saving operations, where every second can be critical.

Damien Oliver, Commercial and Programmes Director for the MCA, emphasised the network’s role in safeguarding lives, saying, “This new national radio network is central in preventing the loss of life on the coast and at sea. The entire network, spanning 165 radio sites around 11,000 miles of UK coastline, maintains the Coastguards’ ability to receive and act upon distress alerts from shipping and talk to HM Coastguard’s helicopters and planes.”

Oliver noted the importance of the update, adding, “It is evident now more than ever that we provide a state-of-the-art radio network system that will allow our Coastguards to continue saving lives and provide reassurance that we are here to respond to any emergency, along the coast or at sea.”

The construction and maintenance of the new network are being handled by Telent Technology Services Ltd. Peter Moir, Managing Director of Network Services at Telent, expressed pride in the project, stating, “As a provider of critical digital infrastructure services, we were proud to have been selected by the MCA to provide the new full fibre network to HM Coastguard’s remote radio sites. Today is an important milestone and we will continue to work collaboratively with HM Coastguard to deliver the new network to support their lifesaving work.”

As the rollout of the new network continues over the next two years, the Coastguard, including teams at Milford Haven MRCC, will benefit from the enhanced capabilities, ensuring they remain at the forefront of maritime safety and rescue operations across the UK.

Crime

Rogue roofer conned homeowner out of thousands

Published

3 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Caerphilly investigation leads to court conviction

A ROGUE trader from Pembroke has been ordered to pay more than £6,000 after duping a homeowner into handing over thousands for unnecessary roofing work.

Douggie Whitbread, aged twenty-five and living at Coldwell Terrace, Pembroke, persuaded his victim that he “probably needed a new roof” before charging £4,350 for work that was either unnecessary or not carried out properly.

Whitbread admitted two counts of fraud relating to a property on Griffiths Street, Ystrad Mynach, with the offences taking place between August 12 and October 16, 2023.

He appeared before Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court, where he was ordered to pay a total of £6,130. That includes £4,350 in compensation, £1,500 in prosecution costs, a £200 fine, and an £80 victim surcharge.

The case was brought following an investigation by Caerphilly Trading Standards, who urged residents to be cautious of unsolicited offers of home maintenance work.

News

South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association – Week Twelve results

Published

21 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Herald Sport

A PACKET week of fixtures in the South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association’s Friendly League saw key wins at both ends of the table as teams continue to jostle for position going into the second half of the season.

Match results (Week 12):

Hundleton 10–0 Lamphey
Badgers 2–8 St Johns
Reynalton 0–10 Carew
Kilgetty 8–2 East Williamston
Cosheston v Llanteg – postponed
St Twynnells – bye week

A previously postponed fixture was also completed, with St Twynnells drawing 5–5 with Reynaltón.

League table (after Week 12):
East Williamston remain top, having played 10 and won eight, with a strong shots difference of +125. Reynaltón sit second after 11 games with 58 points, while St Johns and Hundleton follow closely behind on 54 points each.

At the mid-table mark, Carew (49 points), St Twynnells (48) and Kilgetty (46) remain tightly grouped. Badgers, Lamphey, Llanteg and Cosheston make up the lower order, though the number of games played varies, leaving room for movement in the coming weeks.

Full standings:

Team	P	W	D	L	S/D	Points
East Williamston	10	8	0	2	+125	72
Reynaltón	11	5	2	4	+35	58
St Johns	10	5	1	4	+32	54
Hundleton	10	5	1	4	-2	54
Carew	9	5	0	4	-25	49
St Twynnells	10	4	2	4	-34	48
Kilgetty	11	5	0	6	-44	46
Badgers	11	3	1	7	-59	45
Lamphey	11	5	0	6	-10	44
Llanteg	8	4	0	4	-5	41
Cosheston	9	3	1	5	-13	40

If you’d like, I can also turn this into a shorter snippet for the website or expand with quotes, season context, or upcoming fixtures.

News

Search under way in Pembroke Dock for missing man Lee

Published

46 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Coastguard, RNLI and rescue helicopter launched as fears grow he entered the water

A MAJOR search and rescue operation is under way tonight (Sunday) in the Pembroke Dock and Pennar areas as emergency services look for 48-year-old Lee, who has been reported missing and is feared to have entered the water near the Pennar estuary.

Dyfed-Powys Police issued an urgent appeal earlier today after Lee, who is from Cardigan, failed to return home. He was last seen at around 5:00pm on Saturday (December 13) on CCTV in Pembroke Dock. The image shows him travelling on foot and carrying bags.

Lee is described as 5ft 10in tall, of medium build, with short light-brown hair and short facial hair. At the time he was wearing a blue/grey Christmas jumper, a red hat, dark trousers and light trainers. Police say he is also known to travel by train.

Concerns escalated this afternoon after officers received information suggesting Lee may have entered the water around the Pennar estuary.

HM Coastguard teams and the RNLI lifeboat from Angle have been searching the shoreline and waterway since mid-afternoon. A rescue helicopter from Cornwall (operating out of RAF St Mawgan/Cornwall Airport) is now assisting with aerial searches. The operation is ongoing in increasingly challenging conditions.

Search crews are dealing with cold, wet and windy weather, with conditions expected to worsen significantly overnight. An amber Met Office warning for heavy rain comes into force at 4:00am on Monday (15 December), with forecasters warning of fast-flowing floodwater and hazardous visibility across Pembrokeshire.

Police are urging anyone who may have seen Lee, or who has information that could help the search, to make contact immediately by calling phoning: 101. Quote reference: DP-20251214-176