HC Deb 21 June 1995 vol 262 cc313-4W
Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport at what time Falmouth received notification of distress signals issued by two British yachtsmen 110 nautical miles off La Corunna, Spain; when validation was confirmed by the coastguard station; when surface-to-air rescue was dispatched; and when it located the crew. [29332]

Mr. Norris

This is an operational matter for the Coastguard agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from C. J. Harris to Ms Joan Walley, dated 21 June 1995: The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question as the question deals with an operational matter, for which I have responsibility as Chief Executive. At 0954 Universal Time Coordinated (UTC) on 5 June 1995 a `detect only' signal was passed to the UK Mission Control Centre (UKMCC) and the Marine Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Falmouth. This initial satellite 'hit' was "detect only"' that is, the data picked up by the satellite was insufficient to provide a position. The beacon was registered to the trimaran SEVERALLES CHALLENGE which was known to be participating in the AZAB race (Azores and back race), which departed from Falmouth on 3 June 1995. MRCC attempted to contact the vessel via BT International Radio Station, Portishead while AZAB race control were contacted for the last known position of the vessel. At 1053 UTC the UKMCC received positive information which indicated that the SEVERALLES CHALLENGE was positioned approximately 110 nautical miles off La Corunna, Spain. As the vessel was within the Spanish Search and Rescue Region the details were passed to MRCC Madrid. A search and rescue helicopter was despatched from the Marine Rescue Sub Centre La Corunna at 1155 UTC and located SEVERALLES CHALLENGE at 1300 UTC.