RECENT NEWS

23-June-08

SINKING FEELING

The rescue sledge being pulled ashore by coastguards and fire and rescue personnel.

IT WAS A relieved and embarrassed Jed Paton who was rescued by coastguards from the grip of a muddy grave on Montrose Basin at the weekend. Mr Paton (41), from Brechin, decided to take advantage of low tide and walk out to his boat moored out on the mud flats behind Rossie Island, to bring ashore the outboard motor which needed repair.

His 80-yard walk on Saturday was almost completed when the drama began as he suddenly found himself sinking in the mud.
He said, “I had almost made it when I hit the patch of mud and found myself sinking very quickly. I was able to get my mobile phone out of my pocket and dial 999.

“By the time I had made the call I was up to my waist and couldn’t get the phone back in my pocket.
“I thought, ‘I’m not going to get out of this’, and clung to the side of the boat.”
Within minutes the police, fire brigade and the coastguard were on the foreshore. Because of the dangers on the tidal mudflats of the basin, Montrose coastguards have the first specifically trained mud rescue team in Scotland.

Within minutes the three-man team of Montrose station officer Gary McDonald, his deputy Scott Constantine and Colin Redpath were able to reach Mr Paton using their flat bottom sledge kitted out with an air bottle and lance.

The lance was pushed under his body then compressed air injected into the clinging vacuum to break the suction so he could be freed, put on the sledge then hauled ashore with fire and rescue help. “It was all very efficient,” said a muddied Mr Paton, who was checked over by paramedics and was able to walk away unscathed. “I came out like a cork. It is very embarrassing to see all the trouble I caused but I would like to thank everyone involved.”

Manager for the Montrose coastguard sector Ross Greenhill praised the work of his mud rescue team.
“They were very efficient and the excellent work from the fire service contributed to a successful outcome. All the training paid off. “Mr Paton is a lucky chap. He was trapped for only about half an hour and fortunately the tide was not a risk factor today. “In some cases when people are trapped for longer they can suffer compression injuries when the blood squeezed out of their legs by the mud then rushes back when they are freed.”

The scene of the rescue was close to Mops Pool where locals believe the mud could be up to 30-40 feet deep.
Mr Paton is not the first person to have been trapped on the mudflats. The dramatic rescue of two youngsters who nearly lost their lives in a pool of mud in 1995 prompt ed the formation of the rescue team, who have since adapted and honed their skills and equipment. One of the problems is the mud is always moving and an area that is solid one day can be sticky the next.
“It is a high risk area and it would be a good idea for anyone working on their boats not to be alone or to tell someone they are there,” added Mr Greenhill.

Video © Montrose Sector Coastguards 2008 - Scott Maclean

_______________________________________________________

For ALL EMERGENCY CONTACT

Dial 999 and ask for the COASTGUARD

or VHF ch16

For all other advise or information please contact

Ross Greenhill - Sector Manager on Tel: 01674 672101



	30-06-08

Sector Call Outs

58

Stonehaven (8) Gourdon (20) Montorse (20) Arbroath (10)

Latest Call Out

ME=Montrose, SV= Stonehaven, AH = Arbroath
ALB = All weather lifeboat, ILB = Inshore Lifeboat
Rescue137 = RAF Rescue, Lossiemouth
Rescue 131 = RAF Rescue, Boulmer

24-06-08

24.06.08 TASK: Stonehaven Team paged by MRCC Forth to a possible VHF distress call..
LOCATION: Stonehaven.
The call was first heard via the Bervie aerial site but was also picked up by the site at Girdle Ness. Triangulation suggested that the call came from North of Stonehaven. A search was carried out by the Stonehaven team from Cowie up to Findon Ness to see if any vessel in trouble could be spotted. Nothing was found and we were stood down at midday.
WEATHER: 12-14 Deg, Vis Good, Light wind.

23.06.08 TASK: Stonehaven, Gourdon, Montrose & Arbroath Teams along with Montrose ALB+ILB and Rescue 137 tasked to missing person.
LOCATION: Montrose.
Report has been passed to Forth MRCC Tayside police that a person was missing from Sunnyside Royal Hospital, and was known to like the sea. All tasked to search hospital ground and local Kinaber area. Sighting of person in Arbroath diverted teams to new location. Person was found on the south side of Arbroath and handed over to police custody by back up rescue team Carnoustie.
WEATHER: 9-10 Deg, Vis Good, Low Cloud & Rain.

21.06.08 TASK: Stonehaven Team paged by MRCC Forth to a call of a person in the water.
LOCATION: Crawton.
Report has been passed to Forth MRCC by a fishinerman that a item in the water appeared to be a body. Teams search north along with MRI128, nothing found.
WEATHER: 9-10 Deg, Vis Good, Low Cloud.

21.06.08 TASK: Montrose Team paged by MRCC Forth to a call of a person stuck on mud.
LOCATION: Montrose basin .
Report has been passed to Forth MRCC a fishinerman trying to access his boat at low water was stuck in mud. Montrose Mud team responded along with Stonehaven CRT on PR at St Cyrus and using specialised equipment along with Tayside Fire & Rescue service managed to extricate the male to saftey.
WEATHER: 9-10 Deg, Clear, Low Cloud.

20.06.08 TASK: Montrose & Arbroath paged by MRCC Forth to assist Tayside Police.
LOCATION: Montrose.
Report has been passed to Forth MRCC that a Male had been missing in the Montrose Area. Teams were sent to strategic locations and tasked. Montrose ILB + ALB also assisted with the search. Stood Down 1400hrs, Nothing found.
WEATHER: 13 Deg, Slight Rain, Mixed winds.

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