The Maritime VolunteerThe Journal of the Maritime Volunteer Service

Registered Charity in England & Wales No. 1048454 and in Scotland SC 039269

www.mvs.org.uk

Year 21Issue 2Spring2015

MVS Maintains the RYA Standards

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From the Area Volunteer Officer (North)A new year dawns in the North, an interesting period for us all. In my own case this will be my last year as a director and trustee for the MVS.I hope to return to the original reason for joining the MVS, my desire to go splishy splashy & floaty boaty . To do this I am fortunate that our latest Unit – MVS Port of Manchester has opened it’s doors just down the M62 from me in Salford.

The PoM has already succeeded in finding a number of duties to fulfil it’s Charitable aims, although providing a response boat for a duck race surely should be a job for the RSPCA or the RSAPB! Salford Council have welcomed the new Unit and they are working to provide a number of services geared to improve water safety on the canals and waterways in the Greater Manchester area.

There is still so much opportunity across the North of England and Scotland for MVS activities, but as elsewhere we really need people who will take on responsibility and become our leaders and managers.

Over on the Tyne our Northumbria Unit is actively chasing their new boat, a winter in the open dinghy they are using at the moment has focussed the search.

Morecambe Bay are now sorting out the “Office Space” granted by the SCC in their HQ, while North of the border our North Ayrshire Unit starts a new year after months of training and acquaint time with their new vessel. Their work with the SCC continues. Lastly we wish Bob Hunt for late of Mersey Valley unit well on his relocation to the Norfolk area.

From the Area Volunteer Officer (Central)As the 'junior' member of the triumvirate of AVOs, I took the helm of a slightly reorganised Central region, covering Northern Ireland, Wales and Central England. This new area comprises nine units (Bangor NI, Menai Bridge, Milford Haven, Cardiff, Swansea, Rushden, Great Yarmouth, Upper Thames and City of London), each varying in size, ability, aims and objectives ... But all focused on the goal of training in maritime skills and supporting the communities in which we operate.

As I slowly begin making my way round the units in Central region, one thing is clear, that the size of regions and accessibility remains a cause for further discussion, as is the importance of effective communication between unit and regional level, CoM and National Council.

Over the course of the 2014-15 year I look forward to working with you all, bolstering existing units, developing new ones and strengthening the regional structures. In Northern Ireland I look to develop at least four new units in the province and seek to appoint a new RVO. it is my hope that the existing four units in Wales will become Regional HQs, each with a minimum of three new units. I aim to build on the success of our first inland unit in the Midlands, at Rushden, and expand the role on the MVS in this landlocked area and develop the East Anglia region. Our units in Central London, for which I share duties with AVO South, is slowly emerging from a period of uncertainty and I am confident that under its new HoU and his team, we can secure a long-term future for the units within the capital.

Finally, I would like to reaffirm my commitment to each member, regardless of position or role, that I am, first and foremost a member of this organisation - just like you - and as AVO Central I am here to work on behalf of you and your unit. I shall strive for efficiency and better organisation, work to further the aims and objectives of our charitable trust...but first and foremost gain better recognition for the role of "Maritime Volunteer" within our communities and nationally.

ContentsMVS maintains RYA standards

Dumbledore the seal

First steps for Port of Manchester unit

MVS makes new appointments

Port of Manchester finds a home

Scout training in Sussex

Crew required to sail in 2015

New MVS Headquarters

MVS tribute to former National Secretary

Link with the past for MVS Severn

MVS AGM

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MVS Maintains RYA standards.The MVS has been accredited for another year to teach shore based courses up to the Yachtmaster Offshore Theory Course.

The National Training Manager Liz Glare has worked hard to ensure that the MVS met all the required standards.

AVO (North) Chris Todd said “While we all love the training and learning within the MVS; not all of us love the correspondence and other administrative parts of keeping this vital part of our service accredited.

Thanks to Liz for her tireless efforts to keep us all on the RYA straight and narrow”.

Dumbledore the seal has died

An exhausted seal rescued by Merseyside Police and volunteers including two MVS Marine Mammal Medics in December has died in Norfolk.

Dumbledore who was named after the Harry Potter character, was treated for pneumonia after being found in Newton-le-Willows.

Staff at the RSPCA East Winch centre in Norfolk "worked tirelessly" to save the young adult grey seal but his health was deteriorating and he died on Saturday night.

An RSPCA spokesperson said that "sadly, wildlife rehabilitation is particularly challenging and, of all the species the wildlife centres take in, seals are one of the more difficult to rehabilitate. Dumbledore being rescued in December.

First public steps for Port of Manchester Unit

The MVS will be represented at the Safe4Summer event at Media City in Salford on the weekend of the 8th of May.

The unit will be joining the local emergency services, the Royal Navy and all cadet organisations, alongside Salford Council, Peel Ports and the services at Media City itself.

The Port of Manchester Unit is taking the lead working alongside the Salford & Manchester URNU on the planning committee.

It’s hoped to involve other northern units in the event where we will provide water and dockside safety and provide a public demonstration.

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MVS appoints new company and national secretary

The chair of the MVS, Captain Tony Minns was delighted to welcome Andrew McAllister to the service on his appointment as the MVS Company and National Secretary.

Andrew who is a local a u t h o r i t y r e s i l i e n c e manager brings a wealth of exper ience from the voluntary sector to the MVS.

Captain Minns said "I am really pleased to have the team supported by Andrew and look forward to working with him. I am sure his previous skills in HR and Service Level Agreement negotiation will add to the skills already around the MVS top table".

He added, "I would also like to thank Richard Dale

who resumed the duty of National Secretary when the role became suddenly vacant. Richard's great skills and tenacity have carried us though the gap between Secretaries".

Tony welcoming Andrew (with eyes firmly shut) to the MVS.

Port of Manchester has found a home

The new Port of Manchester Unit has found a permanent base.

The unit is to be based at TS Ilex the Salford Sea Cadet Unit at Worsley Boatyard.

The unit wishes to thank the CO, Lt Truswell SCC and her team for welcoming and supporting them.

The unit were invited to the Royal Naval Parade (RNP) inspection of the Sea Cadets on Thursday February 26th and were happy to attend.

PVO Ian Hopkinson said, “We were delighted to support the Sea Cadets who have been incredibly helpful to us so far and we hope to work together in the future as the unit becomes more firmly established”.

Salford SCC CO Jacqueline Truswell, Commander Mark Irwin RNand PVO Ian Hopkinson at the SCC Royal Naval Parade inspection.

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Scout training in Sussex

A five strong patrol from the 2nd Bexhill Endeavour Troop Sea Scouts, has successfully taken a course on basic engineering knowledge run by East Sussex Sovereign Harbour Unit.

Regional Engineer Officer Eddie Oades delivered the course over two evenings in late January and early February.

The programme included classroom training, primarily covering outboard motors and a visit to the MVS National Training Vessel East Sussex 1.

Eddie showed the scouts, supervised by their Scout Leader Tim Dixon, around the engine room, pointing out the main points of a diesel engine and the checks that have to be carried out before starting up.

At the end of the course all five scouts passed a short test, meaning that they can be awarded the Scouts Mechanic Activity Badge.

A second patrol from the same troop starts the same course this weekend.

The plan is that, from April onwards, scouts from Bexhill and Eastbourne will go on short early evening trips off Eastbourne on East Sussex 1, as has been the case for a number of years.

The plan is to continue afloat Scout training until East Sussex 1 deploys to the Solent in late July.

Crew required to sail in 2015

There are two opportunities this year to sail with members of the Gosport & Fareham Unit of the MVS.

Stuart Harrison and Kevin Attwood have booked a 40ft Jeanneau Sun Odyssey Yacht to sail from Portsmouth from April 15th to 17th and from July 10th to 14th.

The first opportunity will be to a destination still to be decided, the second will be for a trip to the Channel Islands.

There will shortly be another yacht based in Chichester Marina available for use.

She is a 33ft Sigma racer/cruiser presently being outfitted with a new mast and standing rigging.

Experienced yacht sailors and those without experience but who would like to find out more about sailing a yacht are all invited to get in touch.

To join the crew members and none members can contact Stuart Harrison via e-mail or by phone on 01329 846440.

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New MVS HQ in Warrington

The Council of the MVS were very pleased to announce that the service once more has a bricks and mortar headquarters.

Thanks to the generosity of the Warrington Chamber of Commerce and Industry and their Chief Executive Colin Daniels, we have taken up residence at the International Business Centre on Delta Crescent, in Warrington.

Past Chairman of Council David Hankins said "I look forward to moving the MVS Archives up to Warrington early in the New Year".

MVS tribute to former National Secretary

AftRichard Dale has finally hung up his stripes and is reverting to being a member at our Humber Unit.

As you may know, Richard has had a few health problems lately, but has still kept his hand on the tiller of the MVS, steering it through the hiccup of losing a National Secretary. As was reported recently, Richard was keen to say he would compile the AGM Minutes and true to his word he has done so.

Tony Minns, Chair of the MVS Council said, “In the time that I have known Richard Dale, I can state that he has been an utterly dependable and calm guiding hand to the MVS Council and to the wider MVS membership in matters of governance". He continued, “We will miss Richard’s sound knowledge of the MVS and are happy to accept his offer of providing advice or guidance whenever it is required”.

er almost 21 years service in the MVS, holding a variety of offices, HoU. RVO and National Secretary

Link with the past for MVS Severn

For their first meeting in March, the Tewkesbury based Severn Unit held an evening when they welcomed local historian and author Tony Conder who is the ex-curator of the National Waterways Museum at Gloucester. Tony gave an illustrated talk about the early years of river trade when the old sailing ships and barges plied up and down the Severn and he explained how Gloucester Docks and the Sharpness Canal were built.

The Unit was also pleased to welcome Paul Cronin, Volunteer Director of the Avon Navigation Trust along with other guests including the Head of the Bristol Unit Bob Gidden.

Nic Price- Head of Severn Unit, Tony Conder - Speaker,Paul Cronin - Volunteer Director of Avon Navigation Trust andJane Thomas - Deputy Head of Severn Unit.

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MVS AGM held in Liverpool

MVS members headed north to the fine maritime city of Liverpool for our 2014 AGM held at the Devonshire House Hotel.

After a short session of networking and checking the display which had pictures of the new MVS registered office and the “Rewards for Rescue” offer to MVS members, the AGM was formally opened.

After a few hours the legal part concluded with three new member trustee's taking office, the accounts being read and the retirement of the Chair.

Then came a short lunch break and more networking time, a new Area Volunteer Officer for Central England and Wales was interviewed and appointed.

During the afternoon the Merseyside Police Ports Unit reminded the meeting of our important contribution to Project Kraken which delivers an enhanced crime and counter terrorist capability within the maritime environment.

Later, our new external Trustee Martin McCabe threw a few thoughtful ideas about fundraising to the audience and received their comments.

The day concluded with a gala dinner for MVS members.

Facebook and Twitter

MVS Contacts

The MVS has an official Facebook page. Search for ‘Maritime Volunteer Service Official’ when you are logged in to find the group. You simply have to ‘like’ it to be kept up to date with the latest MVS news.

You can also get all the latest feeds by following us on Twitter

AVO(North) Chris Todd avonorth@mvs.org.ukAVO(Central) Robert Hughes-Mullock robert.hughes-mullock@mvs.org.ukAVO(South) Lynn Peppitt avosouth@mvs.org.uk

National Secretary Andrew McAllister secretary@mvs.org.ukNational Treasurer Les Miller treasurer@mvs.org.ukNational MVS Training Manager Liz Glare liz.glare@mvs.org.ukNational Communications Manager John Spencer-Barnes communications@mvs.org.ukNational MVS Website Editor Ian Hopkinson webeditor@mvs.org.ukNational MVS PR Officer Keith Newman

The Maritime VolunteerThe Journal of the Maritime Volunteer Service

Newsletter Editor: Mark Jones - mvsnewslettereditor@gmail.com

The Maritime Volunteer Servicewww.mvs.org.uk

Patron: HRH Prince Michael of Kent GCVO KStJA Company limited by Guarantee No. 3003565.

A Registered Charity in England and Wales No. 1048454 and in Scotland SC 039269

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pr@mvs.org.ukNational MVS Webmaster David Hall webmaster@mvs.org.uk