Points of Clarification

1. Paragraph 3.27 should be amended as follows:

• 3.27 The Tamar Class all-weather lifeboat (ALB), the Baltic Exchange III, with a range of 250 nautical miles and a top speed of 25 knots. It carries a powered ‘Y’ class tender stored in a stern garage that can be launched and recovered via a hydraulic transom platform. Its propellers are protected so it can take the ground without damage.

2. Paragraph 3.15 lists the MoD Police Marine Unit at Plymouth with the RNLI Inshore and All Weather Lifeboats. It should be noted that this asset is not a lifeboat.

Answers to Questions

1. Why do the statistics only run until 2007?

Paragraph 3.3 outlines the average number of incidents between 2004 and 2007. This timeframe has been used as since 2007 the industrial action short of strike undertaken by some HM Coastguard staff has meant the data is not being collected.

2. What are the relevant service standards for Search and Rescue?

MCA can confirm that the service standards for Search and Rescue applicable to the UK Search and Rescue Region are outlined in the consultation document as follows:

• RNLI Lifeboats – paragraph 3.25 of the consultation document
  • Achieve an average launch time of 10 minutes from notification to the RNLI
  • Reach all notified casualties where a risk of life exists, in all weathers, out to a maximum of 100 nautical miles.
  • Reach at least 90% of all casualties within 10 nautical miles of Lifeboat stations within 30 minutes of launch in all weathers

• RNLI Beach Lifeguards –paragraph 1.12 of Annex B of the consultation document
  • Reach any beach casualty up to 300m from shore within the flags on RNLI lifeguard patrolled beaches, within 3½ minutes

• Search and Rescue Helicopters – paragraphs 1.13 -1.16 of Annex B of consultation document
  • MoD Search and Rescue Helicopters: Availability at 15 minutes readiness between 0800 and 2200. Availability at 45 minutes readiness between 2200 and 0800.
  • MCA Search and Rescue Helicopters. Availability at 15 minutes readiness between 0730 and 2100 and 45 minutes readiness outside of these times. It should be noted that the coverage from Portland is daytime only.

• Coastguard Rescue Service – section 4 of the Capability Review
  • When a Coastguard Rescue Team is alerted, the team members will get to their Rescue Station as soon as they can. Once the Rescue Team is ready to proceed from its station, it will arrive at the scene of an incident within 30 minutes in 90% of cases

• Further information on Search and Rescue in the UK can be found in the Search and Rescue Framework for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

3. What are the likelihood and impact definitions used in the Capability Review?

Paragraph 3.1 mentions the risk ratings, likelihood and impact definitions as detailed in the Emergency Preparedness Guidance (HM Government 2005). These are as follows:

Impact scoring scale - qualitative measures

Level	Descriptor	Description of Impact
1	Insignificant	No human casualty and no threat to the environment
2	Minor	Person rescued with no injuries, requiring no treatment. Minor impact on environment with no lasting effects.
3	Moderate	Minor injuries which require basic First aid skills or ambulance support. Incidents involving up to 5 persons.
4	Significant	Serious or extensive injuries. Incidents involving up to 10 persons. Significant impact on environment with medium to long term effects.
5	Catastrophic	Fatality Incidents involving more than 10 persons Serious long term impact and/or permanent damage to the environment.

Likelihood scoring scale

Level	Descriptor	Likelihood over 5 years	Likelihood over 5 years
1	Negligible	> 0.005%	> 1 in 20,000 chance
2	Rare	> 0.05%	> 1 in 2,000 chance
3	Unlikely	> 0.5%	> 1 in 200 chance
4	Possible	> 5%	> 1 in 20 chance
5	Probable	> 50%	> 1 in 2 chance

4. How much does it cost to run each General Purpose Boat?

The costs provided here consist of maintenance and fuel costs. It should be noted that the response does not include costs for facilities or payments to Coastguard Rescue Officers (CROs). This is because facilities for housing the boat are not solely used for the boat but also for other coastguard equipment. Also MCA does not record payments to CRO’s for undertaking training and operating the boat separately to that of other activities such as cliff rescue. Therefore average annual cost of maintaining and fuelling the boats are:

• Hope Cove £2,300
• Tamar £1,300

5. How does the Capability Review take into account the number of people visiting the area?

The MCA can confirm that the Capability Review is a process that is under regular review and that as stated in the “Future Risks” section of the Capability Review no change in risk is foreseen within the next 12 months. The assessment of future risk was based on looking at developments taking place in the area, considering incident trends, activities and possible changes in visitor numbers and the impact that may have.

6. What was the nature of the instruction to the MCA Surveyor to undertake the surveys?

An instruction for a MCA surveyor to undertake surveys under the Harmonised (Workboat) Code of the boats at Tamar and Hope Cove was issued on 9 June 2008. A subsequent instruction to the same surveyor to survey these boats against the draft rescue boat code was issued on 8 July 2008. The surveys of the boats at Tamar and Hope Cove took place on 10 and 11 July 2008 respectively.

7. What is the training requirement for the MoD Police Marine Unit boat?

MCA can confirm that the training requirement for the MoD Police Marine Unit is for the Coxswain to have an RYA Yacht Master ticket and for one crew member to have a day skipper ticket.