Tuesday, 31 May 2011
Falmouth Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Where lies the future for Falmouth Coastguards?
Falmouth Coastguard Station could be facing radical changes after the new government’s budget cuts mean a modernisation to the whole of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Falmouth Coastguard Station has been in its current location on Pendennis Point, Falmouth since 1981. The station runs a 24/7 service where they are constantly working as a team with other coastguards around the country saving lives and making sure that the 660,000 square miles of water that they cover are safe all year round.
If the new proposals are put in place, the operating hours of the Coastguard Station would be reduced to the daytime. The result of this would be a loss of jobs; 17 of the 27 jobs would go over a period of four years. Falmouth is not the only station facing cuts. At the moment, the 19,491 miles of Britain’s coastline are being monitored by 19 stations; however, the idea is to reduce the number of stations operating from 19 to 8 at the expense of 227 jobs. An extra 2 stations would be built to co-ordinate rescue missions.
West Cornwall and St Ives MP Andrew George believes that the steps being taken by the government are only the beginning and in the future there will no longer be a Coastguard Station in Falmouth. The changes are making the county’s coastline more dangerous and with such a huge influx of tourists in the summer season, the safety of the public should be the main concern. Unfortunately, if the government’s budget cutting plans materialise, the health and safety of the public will be put at risk and pressure on other available coastguard stations will increase and the currently avoidable loss of lives will be inevitable.
The workers at the Coastguard Station work 12-hour shifts, with four days on and three days off. The shifts are split into two-day shifts followed by two-night shifts. The waters off the coast of Cornwall are some of the busiest around the country with many busy shipping lanes which need constant attention to make sure everything flows smoothly!
Richy Williams, one of the Coastguards spoke to me about the importance of their 24/7 work. He said ‘We are not only here for search and rescue; we have many more day-to-day jobs that are of great importance’. The way in which the team works together on each call that comes though shows the importance of having enough coastguards and any less could have grave consequences.
Headed by James Instance, the Falmouth Coastguards do a great deal of work towards the upkeep and safety of the waters off the Cornish coast. The constant high quality work which they perform on a day-to-day basis is invaluable and something which cannot be lost.
Falmouth Coastguard Station could be facing radical changes after the new government’s budget cuts mean a modernisation to the whole of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Falmouth Coastguard Station has been in its current location on Pendennis Point, Falmouth since 1981. The station runs a 24/7 service where they are constantly working as a team with other coastguards around the country saving lives and making sure that the 660,000 square miles of water that they cover are safe all year round.
If the new proposals are put in place, the operating hours of the Coastguard Station would be reduced to the daytime. The result of this would be a loss of jobs; 17 of the 27 jobs would go over a period of four years. Falmouth is not the only station facing cuts. At the moment, the 19,491 miles of Britain’s coastline are being monitored by 19 stations; however, the idea is to reduce the number of stations operating from 19 to 8 at the expense of 227 jobs. An extra 2 stations would be built to co-ordinate rescue missions.
West Cornwall and St Ives MP Andrew George believes that the steps being taken by the government are only the beginning and in the future there will no longer be a Coastguard Station in Falmouth. The changes are making the county’s coastline more dangerous and with such a huge influx of tourists in the summer season, the safety of the public should be the main concern. Unfortunately, if the government’s budget cutting plans materialise, the health and safety of the public will be put at risk and pressure on other available coastguard stations will increase and the currently avoidable loss of lives will be inevitable.
The workers at the Coastguard Station work 12-hour shifts, with four days on and three days off. The shifts are split into two-day shifts followed by two-night shifts. The waters off the coast of Cornwall are some of the busiest around the country with many busy shipping lanes which need constant attention to make sure everything flows smoothly!
Richy Williams, one of the Coastguards spoke to me about the importance of their 24/7 work. He said ‘We are not only here for search and rescue; we have many more day-to-day jobs that are of great importance’. The way in which the team works together on each call that comes though shows the importance of having enough coastguards and any less could have grave consequences.
Headed by James Instance, the Falmouth Coastguards do a great deal of work towards the upkeep and safety of the waters off the Cornish coast. The constant high quality work which they perform on a day-to-day basis is invaluable and something which cannot be lost.
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| Falmouth Maritime and Coastguard Acency Watchtower |
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| Richy WIlliams at work |
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| Richy observes his colleague working in the watchtower |
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| Plotting bearings on the map |
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| Richy takes down information on his computer whilst being on the radio |
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| James Instance |
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| Richy Williams |
Thursday, 21 April 2011
Billingsgate Fish Market - London
Another early start for me this morning, this time leaving at about 3am to drive down to Billingsgate Fish Market in London.
After already having been to a fish auction in Newlyn, Cornwall, I was prepared for the pretty horrible smell that I would have to get used to for the couple of hours that I was there! Although you never remember exactly how bad it does actually smell in places!
The market starts at 5am and runs through until 7am and I arrived just around am to find everything already in full swing.
After speaking to one of the traders, a young guy, I found out that it is never normally as busy as it was today, however due to the fact that its the Easter weekend, everyone was out and ready to buy for either their restaurants or fishmongers.
The seafood sold at the market ranges from exotic fishes in bulk, through to pre packaged fish and oysters. All of which have come from many ports across the UK and the world. Lobsters from Canada and eels from New Zealand.
It was a great experience, and so bizarre to see so many people up and about as if it was the middle of the day!
So, here are a few images from this morning .. Captions to follow and there is potential that I will change an image or two for my final edit of 5!
Friday, 15 April 2011
Smithfield Meat Market - London
At just before 1am on Wednesday 13th April 2011, I left Cambridge to drive down to Smithfield Meat Market in Central London. Smithfield is one of the oldest markets in London, meat has been traded there for over 800 years!
The market kicks off at around 2:30am - 3am and most trading is done before 7am, however some traders carry on until mid morning.
The majority of the customers who were buying meat at the market were buying wholesale for either butchers or restaurants, but what makes the market even better is that any member of the public can turn up and buy meat from the different traders.
Most of the traders didn't have any problem with photos being taken, (as long as I had my 'Photography Permit' to show them) however, a couple weren't too keen!
Anyway here are a few shots from the couple of hours I spent there. Captions are to follow and there might be a little change in choice of my final 6 images in the next week or so ...
The market kicks off at around 2:30am - 3am and most trading is done before 7am, however some traders carry on until mid morning.
The majority of the customers who were buying meat at the market were buying wholesale for either butchers or restaurants, but what makes the market even better is that any member of the public can turn up and buy meat from the different traders.
Most of the traders didn't have any problem with photos being taken, (as long as I had my 'Photography Permit' to show them) however, a couple weren't too keen!
Anyway here are a few shots from the couple of hours I spent there. Captions are to follow and there might be a little change in choice of my final 6 images in the next week or so ...
Saturday, 2 April 2011
Tattoo Bob - Penryn
Tattoo Bob is an independent tattoo shop in Penryn, Cornwall. I photographed him at work tattooing two different guys. Watching a tattoo develop from start to finish was pretty incredible, and this dude had some skill!
Friday, 1 April 2011
Newlyn Fish Auction
Just a few more images from the shoot at Newlyn Fishing Auction:
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| Newlyn |
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| Newlyn |
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| Newlyn |
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Footage from Libya Demonstration London
A couple of short clips of video shot at the Libya demonstration in London on the 24th March 2011.
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