Mercia Inshore Search and Rescue

December 2009

Not a good month in view of our recent unwelcome visitors and loss of essential rescue equipment, this involving two outboard engines, one generator and one water salvage pump. A worrying aspect was that the equipment was taken from a building well out of sight and had to involve some form of local knowledge!

This means we currently have two boats out of service at a time where things are starting to appear quite serious.
The current weather predictions seem to indicate a mild but wet winter, which would indicate a winter of flooding problems, so a reminder to anyone affected by regular river flooding, that they should complete any plans and preparations etc that they can realistically do. Anyone considering purchasing flood gates, covers for sub-floor vents etc, now is the time to do it, don't leave it until the water is lapping at the doorstep.

Nationally DEFRA are just completing a National Asset Register so to be therefore better prepared and thus learning from the 2007 scenario.

We are just completing final training on Defibrillation and Oxygen, noting with the assistance of Tingdene (Upton Marina), we have acquired a new Defibrillator and very shortly we will have a total of 10 qualified people able to use and respond with this equipment.

From all at MERCIA may we wish everybody a safe and Happy Christmas.