Naval-Auxiliary

Call have been made to give the crane driver Derek Allen a bravery award after he kept a cool head as his crane collapsed preventing it falling on the "RFA Springtide" and undoubtedly saving lives at Falmouth Docks in the morning of May 10. Emergency services were called to the docks just before 9 a.m. after the 58-year-old structure crashed to the ground as it worked on the Royal Navy ship. Allen remained in his cab as the cables started to snap. He realised that the crane could collapse on the ship which was full of workers carrying out a refit as part of a £900 million Ministry of Defence contract. He swung it away from the ship even as the jib started to crash to the ground putting him in danger as well. A massive shook the ground as the crane finally hit the deck. It could have been much worse with potentially fatal consequences if it wasn't for Mr Allen's quick thinking. After the accident crews were dispatched from Falmouth and Truro Community Fire Stations in line with the pre-planned attendance for this type of incident. An investigation has been launched into the accident by the Health and Safety Executive. Report with photos: http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/15281048.Calls_for_Falmouth_Docks_crane_driver_to_be_given_an_award_after__undoubtedly__saving_lives_when_structure_collapsed/

On May 10, 2017, a crane has collapsed besides the "RFA Tidespring" at Falmouth Docks leading to the evacuation of the site. The cran fell with an enormous bang onto 10 acetylene cylinders at the dockside at 9 a.m. A firefighter suffered minor injuries while assessing the scene and was taken to hospital as a precaution. A 200m exclusion zone was set up over fears the cylinders could explode after the collapse, which was initially treated as a major incident. The cordon was lifted at 1 p.m. The response of the Cornwall Fire Service was in line with how it would plan for this type of incident. A&P Group, which owns the docks, said a full health and safety investigation would take place. All personnel have been temporarily evacuated from the docks whilst an assessment of the area was made. Report with photo and video: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-39870240

The first of four fleet tankers being built in South Korea to support Royal Navy operations still has not been accepted by the British Ministry of Defence, seven months after it was due to be handed over. The Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker Tidespring was expected to be accepted off contract by the British in January this year with the expectation it would enter service in September. But the vessel, part of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) program, is still undergoing trials with builder Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) in South Korea. It is unclear exactly what has triggered the delay in the handover of the tankers. The MoD declined to answer questions about the delay in accepting the tanker or when the Tidespring would sail for the UK. On her arrival in the UK the tanker is due to enter the A&P yard at Falmouth, western England, for fitting with sensitive equipment like self-defense weapons, ballistic protection and communications systems. http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/naval/2016/08/01/british-navy-sees-delay-delivery-south-korean-built-tanker/87918638/