OIC News
With Orkney continuing to be in Level Three of the Scottish Governments COVID-19 restrictions until at least the 18 January, we want to update our customers and staff on what impacts this will have on Sport and Leisure activities and facilities from the 18 January until the 1 February 2021.
In conjunction with the rest of the UK, parents, carers and pupils in Orkney experienced accessibility issues with Microsoft Teams – one of the main platforms being used for remote learning with schools closed meantime due to Scottish Government pandemic restrictions.
Orkney Islands Council is asking local residents who have been invited to join Orkney Opinions – but have not yet returned their membership survey - to do so by the end of this week.
As the mercury drops, Orkney Islands Council is highlighting again the help available for local householders through the Scottish Government’s HEEPS:ABS scheme to improve the energy efficiency of their homes.
Members of the public wishing to support, or object to, proposals for a six turbine wind farm at Wee Fea in Lyness are being reminded they have until the end of the month (31 January) to do so.
A replacement gritter has arrived on Hoy, and one is en route to Westray, ready to resume road treatments as required following breakdowns earlier this week.
Schools across Orkney will open tomorrow morning (Thursday 7 January) to provide childcare for the children of key workers and vulnerable children.
Orkney Local Emergency Co-ordination Group (OLECG) met this afternoon (5 January) to discuss yesterday's (4 January) update from the Scottish Government and the current rollout of vaccines to people aged over 80 in Orkney.
Unfortunately, due to vehicle breakdowns over the festive period, Orkney Islands Council gritters on Westray and Hoy are temporarily off the road.
Following the First Minister’s statement yesterday, Orkney Islands Council will fulfil the Scottish Government’s directive to open schools this week for the children of keyworkers and vulnerable children – largely in line with the timeline set out to local families and carers before Christmas.
The Reel was a well-established and valued business in Kirkwall, providing a popular café bar alongside a venue for teaching and performance of traditional Orkney music.
Kirkwall’s Marlene Croy has been named in the Queen’s New Year Honours List for her voluntary service to St Magnus Cathedral and the wider Orkney community.
The Leader of Orkney Islands Council is calling for the Scottish Government to finally bring in cheaper ferry fares for residents and visitors to the county – more than a decade after they were first rolled out elsewhere in Scotland.
Orkney Islands Council understands and shares the Scottish Government’s concerns relating to the latest developments with the COVID 19 Virus and the continual need to review the prevailing circumstances across the Country and for each Council area. However, there currently remains no recorded COVID cases in Orkney. Accordingly, the Council believes that a bespoke Orkney response can be accommodated for the lead up to Christmas and for the New Year based on the prevailing data and science for the operation of our internal ferries and the return to school arrangements.
Orkney Islands Council is carrying out road works on Pickaquoy Road near the Co op supermarket on Monday 11 January and Tuesday 12 January 2021, between 09:00 and 16:00 each day.
We can now reveal that the most popular name choices for girls and boys in Orkney during 2020.
Orkney Islands Council is contacting families, carers and staff about current plans for opening schools in January after the Festive Season break.
Orkney Islands Council has advised the Scottish Government of concerns about the impact of Level 3 Covid-19 restrictions on local ferry services and communities – and how it is addressing these.
Following the recent Scottish Government announcement that Orkney will move into Level Three for a three-week period from 26 December 2020 – 17 January 2021, there will unfortunately be some changes to festive and day-to-day arrangements across Orkney’s Sport and Leisure facilities.
Staff at Orkney Health and Care have helped leading children’s charity Action for Children distribute grocery vouchers to vulnerable families and young children in the county ahead of Christmas.
Orkney Islands Council is opening temporary skips for paper and metals recycling over the festive period.
Orkney Islands Council is advising the Travel Centre in Kirkwall will close at 5.30pm on 23 December 2020 and re-open at 9am on 5 January 2021, due to recent antisocial behaviour at the facility.
Orkney Islands Council is contacting people across the county to invite them to become part of its public consultation group.
Orkney Islands Council is supporting a national campaign aimed at encouraging people to come forward as carers and claim the support they are entitled to.
Orkney Islands Council has published information on bus timetables over the upcoming festive period.
Orkney Islands Council is advising it has been unable to collect any refuse in Westray today (15 December), due to the breakdown of the collection vehicle.
Orkney Islands Council is renewing pleas to the community to not leave general waste at the newly re-opened recycling facilities in St Margaret’s Hope and Cursiter.
A leaflet aimed at encouraging local people to pay special attention to their mental wellbeing this winter is launching this week.
Orkney Islands Council has published festive season arrangements for the upcoming Christmas and New Year period.
This includes changes to refuse and recycling collections, and emergency out-of-hours contact details.
The information can be viewed on the Council's Festive Arrangements page - or by clicking on the banner at the top of the Council's homepage.
The information was also published in the Orcadian newspaper on 10 December 2020.
Orkney Islands Council is inviting applications for its Culture Fund aimed at supporting cultural activity in Orkney.
An online exhibition – 'Orkney: Between Islands' – has just been launched as part of the Between Islands project.
Here’s an update on recycling collection arrangements for the week ahead – from Monday 14 December.
Applications are invited to the Community Transport Grant Scheme for 2021/2022.
Orkney Local Emergency Co-ordinating Group (OLECG) met on Monday 7 December and set up a small cross-agency working group to come together to support NHS Orkney with the COVID-19 vaccination programme that started this week.
Orkney Islands Council has welcomed news that the Scottish Government has taken a definitive stance that Higher and Advanced Higher exams will not go ahead this year and will be replaced instead by an assessment model based on teacher judgement and evidence of pupils' attainment.
The model for a “future-proofed” 40-place care facility to replace St Rognvald House in Kirkwall has now been approved this week by the Integration Joint Board (IJB).
Orkney Islands Councillors have agreed to continue to financially support Orkney hosting the International Island Games despite their postponement to 2025.
Orkney Islands Council is advising members of the public that the path to the Brough of Deerness has had to be closed following a significant slip of land.
North Isles Councillor Heather Woodbridge has been appointed to sit on several committees.
Christmas will come early for many of Orkney’s most vulnerable families with a £200 direct payment to those children receiving free school meals - £100 from the Scottish Government COVID Hardship Payment and a further top up payment of £100 thanks to an Orkney Islands Council grant agreed by Councillors today (Tuesday).
Congratulations to Orkney Islands Council for achieving the Food for Life Served Here Bronze award for their primary and secondary school meals service!
Grants provided by Orkney Islands Council aimed at supporting local businesses affected by the pandemic are changing.
Parts of Orkney Islands Council’s online services will experience disruptions on Saturday December 12.
The Scottish Government has called in the ‘Orkney’s Community Wind Farm Project – Hoy’ planning application for determination.
Here’s an update on recycling collection arrangements for the week ahead – from Monday 7 December.
The Council’s Roads Services team will be carrying out maintenance works on the main (A965) Kirkwall to Stromness road - at Finstown - over the next couple of weeks.
A bit of Christmas sparkle should lift the spirits of visitors to The Orkney Museum during December.
Orkney Islands Council’s Housing Services Annual Report 2019-2020 has been published and details a strong performance across a number of areas.
Orkney Islands Council is advising mechanical issues have impacted the collection of refuse between Finstown and Kirkwall today (Thursday 3 December).
Orkney Islands Council is advising motorists that black ice alerts remain in place for the rest of today (Thursday 3 December) and into the small hours of tonight.
The Council is warning motorists of the risk of black ice on roads in the first icy blast of the season - and offering some advice for drivers.
Orkney is once again leading the drive to net zero and supporting UK government plans for a green industrial revolution with the launch of new green energy services.
The recycling centre at Cursiter Quarry will re-open on Tuesday 8 December.
Local management of the seas around Orkney moved a step closer this week – with the delegation of regional marine planning functions to Orkney Islands Council by Scottish Ministers today.
A special festive gift for the Orkney community has arrived in the county in the form of a live Christmas tree from the county of Vestland in Norway.
Here’s an update on recycling collection arrangements for the week ahead – from Monday 30 November.
Pupils across Orkney will be enjoying lamb this St Andrews Day for their school meals after a kind donation from the Orkney Auction Mart.
The first Orkney Community Halls Training Event to be held online due to the ongoing pandemic restrictions has been hailed a success.
Letters are being sent to all Orkney Islands Council’s council house tenants seeking views on a proposed rent increase for 2021-2022.
Orkney Islands Councillors have agreed a new funding package to support an ambitious and visionary action plan for Orkney’s economic recovery post COVID-19.
Artists and craft makers interested in pursuing a VACMA (Visual Artists and Craft Makers Award) grant from Orkney Islands Council can join a ‘Stay Home & Meet’ event next Wednesday evening (2 December 2020) to find out more about the process.
Pupils from Kirkwall Grammar and Papdale Primary Schools are linking with counterparts in Pakistan and Nepal as part of a unique global education programme, Connecting Classrooms.
Here’s an update on recycling collection arrangements for the week ahead – from Monday 23 November.
Fans of Aikerness Beach in Evie are being advised the public toilet there is now operating shorter opening hours, from midday to 4pm daily.
Orkney Islands Council is reminding vehicle owners of their obligations for keeping vehicle ownership details up to date and dealing with end-of-life vehicles correctly, off the back of increasing issues with abandoned vehicles issues in the county over the last few years.
Orkney’s Marine Services is enjoying a surge in oil industry activity despite the worldwide coronavirus pandemic.
The Council’s Roads team will be putting up festive lighting in Victoria Street, Stromness, tomorrow (Thursday 19 November 2020).
Young carers in Orkney have been putting their time during a pandemic to good use – getting creative and producing a calendar, which is now for sale at a number of local outlets.
The recycling centre at St Margaret’s Hope will re-open on Tuesday 24 November.
Members of the public are being reminded that they have just under two weeks left to make their views known about a proposed wind farm on Faray - before a planning application is submitted early next year.
Funding is now available from a new Scottish Government support scheme for businesses that have had to close or significantly change their operations because of Covid-19 restrictions.
On Monday night (9 November) the Kirkwall Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) funded project, the Storehouse Restaurant with Rooms, was recognised in the biennial Inverness Architectural Association Awards.
Monday (16 November) marks the start of week two of our new recycling collection arrangements.
People in Orkney are being reminded to check their voter registration details are up to date.
The Leader of Orkney Islands Council has called on the Scottish Government for a further relaxation of Covid-19 rules to allow people in the county to visit one another’s homes.
Unable to gather the school for a Remembrance ceremony, Stromness Academy found a different way to remember.
Orkney Islands Council is delighted to announce that from 12:01 on Monday 9 November customers will be able to book courses, classes, gym and pool sessions online however, customers will firstly have to register.
The Kirkwall Travel Centre is due to reopen on Monday (November 9) complete with a CCTV system - in a bid to stamp out the anti-social behaviour which has plagued the public facility.
Orkney Local Emergency Co-ordination Group (OLECG) is supporting efforts to encourage local fishing vessel owners to register their boats as soon as possible – as the end of the Brexit transition period gets closer.
St Magnus Cathedral will be lighting up red on Wednesday 11 November to help raise awareness of the annual Scottish Poppy Appeal.
Orkney Health and Care is part of the fabric of our community and our teams of skilled carers make a world of difference to the lives of the people who use our service.
Orkney Health and Care (OHAC) are on the recruitment hunt for people who may be thinking of a career in care.
The Board of Orkney Ferries has renewed an appeal to the Scottish Government for emergency funding to offset the severe impact the Covid-19 pandemic is having on the company.
Stromness Academy pupils and staff have been doing their bit to scare away hunger this Hallowe’en.
The Chair of Orkney’s Public Protection Committee has welcomed new legislation due to come into force this week in Scotland which will make all forms of physical punishment of children against the law.
Next week our waste team will be collecting paper and card in the kerbside recycling collections.
Orkney Islands Council is to provide two new Covid-19 business support measures.
Orkney Islands Council is supporting Papdale East Playpark Association (PEPA) to progress the ‘Help Shape the Future of Papdale’ project to its next stage.
Orkney Islands Council is warning that an “intolerable” level of vandalism at the St Magnus Lane Public Toilets will lead to their closure if it does not stop.
In common with the rest of the nation, Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day commemorations in public will be minimised this year with people in Orkney encouraged to “Remember at Home” instead.
Kerbside recycling collections are to start again in Westray and Shapinsay next month.
Fortnightly recycling collections will begin again in November – with two types of recyclable materials picked up from the kerbside every two weeks.
Applications can now be made for support from the Scottish Government’s new £48 million fund to help businesses affected by temporary restrictions to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Orkney Islands Council is advising that Scottish and Southern Energy Network (SSEN) have had to close Victoria Street in Stromness to locate and repair a cable fault.
Next week (beginning Monday 26 October) kerbside recycling will be back to tins and cans.
Orkney Islands Council is advising that special collections for the non-linked Islands of Orkney will begin again after being suspended due to the pandemic.
Orkney Islands Council is re-opening a further six public toilets.
For the week beginning 19 October, the waste team will be collecting plastic bottles in the kerbside recycling.
Orkney Health and Care is seeking to recruit more foster carers.
Orkney Islands Council are advising that this year’s Visual Artist and Craft Maker Award (VACMA) will be offering a slightly different service.
Orkney Islands Council has launched a consultation on revised plans for a six turbine wind farm on Faray.
The Environmental Health team at Orkney Islands Council is urging local owners to register their fishing vessels and arrange for an inspection as soon as possible.
Orkney’s two new tugs were officially named Odin of Scapa and Thor of Scapa during a ceremony at Scapa Pier on Monday. (October 12)
From today (Monday 12 October), anyone in employment, or self-employed, who gets one of the low-income benefits listed below will be able to claim a £500 self-isolation support payment from the Scottish Welfare Fund, if they are asked to self-isolate by the Test and Protect service.
The annual Orkney Community Halls Training Event is due to be held online for the first time later this month due to ongoing pandemic restrictions.
Starting Monday 12 October, kerbside recycling will revert back to glass collection.
Young children from St Andrews Nursery and older members of the East Mainland community are joining forces in a new pen pal initiative called “Bridging the Gap”.
Councillors have agreed to take ownership of the island of Little Green Holm as an investment for part of Orkney’s biodiversity future.
The Leader of Orkney Islands Council has welcomed the opportunity for further engagement with the Scottish Government on the potential for a more localised approach to coronavirus restrictions.
The “groundbreaking” local delivery of the Orkney Dementia Strategy has moved a step forward with the adoption of the “exemplar” document.
A planning application has been submitted by Orkney Islands Council for a six-turbine wind farm development at Wee Fea in Hoy.
From today, Monday 5 October Stromness Library, Warehouse Buildings will be taking bookings for Public Access PCs and the George Mackay Brown Room.
For the week beginning 5 October, the waste team will be collecting paper and thin card in the kerbside recycling.
Voters in the North Isles have elected Heather Woodbridge to represent the ward on Orkney Islands Council.
We want to remind people aged 60 and over that they can apply for their National Entitlement Card (NEC) online.
Orkney Islands Council reintroduced the first hour free in car parks around the county this week.
The fourth Annual Performance Report 2019/2020 for the Orkney Integration Joint Board has outlined significant highlights over the past year, while detailing key challenges and priorities moving forward.
Orkney’s unpaid carers - described as the county’s “unsung heroes” – are being encouraged to access emotional, practical and financial support services available to them.
This week sees the release of the mid-point review consultation of the Local Housing Strategy 2017 – 2022.
Four young people from Orkney have shared their experiences at a national political level on how the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted on career and employment opportunities.
North Isles residents are encouraged to return postal votes as soon as possible to ensure they arrive in time for the by-election on Thursday October 1.
The waste team will be collecting, for the week beginning 28 September, metals and cans in the kerbside recycling.
The chance to take a virtual tour of buildings across Orkney is on offer this weekend.
As from Wednesday 23 September, people aged 60 and over will be able to apply for their National Entitlement Card (NEC) online.
Householders and companies in Orkney will be able to donate their unwanted electricals via a new collection service to support Restart Orkney, a local charity.
The Scottish Government’s scheme Eat Out to Help Out that was introduced into school canteens within Orkney when they opened in August was gratefully received.
The Council notes the Ba Committee has cancelled the Ba for this year and therefore we are reminding property owners/managers that the council will not be placing barriers outside properties as it has done in previous years.
Plastic bottles will be collected during kerbside recycling for the week beginning 21 September 2020.
North Isles residents are encouraged to look out for their postal votes next week.
Much has been very different over the last few months and the Council is proud of how many of its keyworkers have continued to provide a service throughout the pandemic.
Orkney’s two new tugs have arrived in Stromness after a long sea journey from Turkey.
Updated Covid-19 guidance for tourism and hospitality businesses has been published by the Scottish Government.
Voters in the North Isles are reminded that there are two key deadlines this week ahead of the upcoming by-election.
To vote in the by-election, North Isles residents need to ensure they are on the Electoral Register – and to do this by midnight on Tuesday 15 September at the very latest.
A popular lollipop lady has retired after nearly quarter of a century helping keep children safe while crossing some of Kirkwall’s roads.
Kerbside recycling will continue in the four week cycle of collections, with next week reverting back to glass collection.
Trading Standards and Police Scotland are warning local people to be on their guard for scam calls which appear to originate from local telephone numbers with STD code 01856.
Orkney Islands Council is delighted to announce that from Monday 14 September the reception at the Warehouse Building in Stromness will open to the public, to deal with customer services enquiries (payments, blue badges etc.) and police counter enquiries.
Press Release from Orkney’s Economic Recovery Steering Group
A new group has been tasked with building and driving forward a strategy for Orkney’s recovery from the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Orkney Islands Council has signed an agreement with Hoy Energy Ltd which will ensure that the island’s income from the existing community turbine won’t be adversely affected by the potential development of a council-owned wind farm in Hoy.
OIC launches school crossing patrol officer recruitment drive
Orkney Islands Council is inviting tenders for the contract to extend and refurbish St Andrews Primary School in Orkney.
Views are invited on a state-of-the-seas appraisal of the waters around Orkney.
Voters are being encouraged to cast their vote by post in the North Isles by-election.
The by-election on Thursday 1 October is being held to elect a councillor to represent the ward on Orkney Islands Council.
From Monday 7 September Orkney Islands Councils Sport and Leisure Service will taking bookings for their sport and leisure facilities ahead of their reopening during the week commencing 14 September.
Orkney Islands Council would like to thank parents and carers for their swift response to the request for information on their childcare needs.
Orkney Islands Council has taken the difficult decision to close two of its public facilities due to ongoing antisocial behaviour, vandalism and graffiti.
Orkney Islands Council is advising that they are undertaking our periodic high-level building surveys on some of their facilities from 4 September 2020.
Orkney Islands Council would like to hear from parents and carers looking for childcare provision – following the go ahead to progress a temporary nursery facility while also working on a long term solution.
Orkney Islands Council is warning that increased vandalism and damage within public toilets across the county in recent weeks may lead to the unavoidable closure of some.
Four candidates have put their names forward to stand in the North Isles by-election.
Orkney Islands Councils Sport and Leisure Service welcomes the Scottish Governments announcement that sport facilities can begin to re-open from the 31 August.
Orkney Islands Council are advising that the road works underway in Burray at the junction with Ness road will continue until Friday 4 September.
The Scottish Government has begun a 30-day consultation period on Orkney Islands Council’s plans for a wind farm at Quanterness in St Ola.
The Community Learning Guide for Autumn 2020 contains a comprehensive programme of courses drawn together by the Council’s Community Learning and Development service.
Following the First Ministers announcement last week that indoor sport and leisure facilities can reopen from the 31 August subject to Scottish Government guidance, Orkney Islands Council will continue to plan for re-opening from 14 September in line with previous timescales.
Over 80 families and individuals in Orkney are now better connected thanks to the first phase of a Scottish Government-funded scheme to get clinically vulnerable people online.
Due to operational issues as a result of Covid-19, the switchboard and reception desk will now require to be closed to the public between 1-2pm, Monday to Friday. To compensate for the closure during the lunchtime period, we will open the reception each day until 4pm rather than 3pm. Our emergency contact numbers will be available on the recorded message via 01856 873535 and on our website www.orkney.gov.uk
Orkney Islands Council is delighted to announce that school canteens have signed up for the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme.
From Monday 24 August, commercial recycling and cardboard collections will resume.
Three grants from Orkney Islands Council to help local businesses affected by the Covid-19 crisis are now open for applications.
The Hatston and Garson Household Waste Recycling Centres can now accept scrap metal and inert waste once again.
Orkney Islands Council’s Alison Bews has been at the forefront of supporting folk with disabilities - bringing creativity into the lives of some of the county’s most vulnerable for the past 40 years.
Orkney Islands Council is planning to re-open a further 14 public toilets over the days ahead – many of them in the North and South Isles.
Orkney Library and Archive
Orkney Library and Archive, in Kirkwall, will reopen to the public on Monday 17 August, with some restrictions in place.
Orkney Islands Council is advising that from Monday 17 August road works will begin in Burray at the junction from the main road though Burray (A961) and Ness Road, with work taking two weeks to complete.
Kerbside recycling will continue in the four week cycle of collections, with next week reverting back to glass collection.
The Notice of Election for the North Isles by-election was published today (Thursday 13 August).
The Orkney Museum will re-open its doors on Thursday 13 August for a new temporary exhibition.
Orkney Islands Council has welcomed a 'significant u-turn' following today’s announcement by the Scottish Education Secretary John Swinney that all downgraded exam awards will be withdrawn.
Orkney Islands Council has announced the appointment of Warmworks Scotland (Warmworks), following a competitive tendering process, as the new Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland: Area-Based Scheme (HEEPS: ABS) Managing Agent for Orkney.
Work is continuing within Orkney Islands Council to ensure families in Orkney have access to childcare, including the provision of increased free childcare hours in most nursery settings from this month (August).
Pre-school and nursery settings in Orkney will reopen in full on August 17 following the recent Scottish Government announcement.
Friday 7 August saw the last day of the Orkney Coronavirus Community Support Hub being situated at the Pickaquoy Centre, now that shielding has paused in Scotland
People in Orkney are being encouraged to check their voter registration details are up to date.
Residents are asked to complete and return an annual form sent by the local Electoral Registration Office – to ensure they retain the right to vote in future elections.
Orkney Islands Council will be carrying out resurfacing works on Tankerness Lane - which are planned to start on Monday 10 August 2020.
The Point of Ness Campsite, Rackwick Hostel and the Hoy Centre were some of the first facilities to be re-opened following the initial phases in the easing of lockdown. As a result of the significant demand for pitches at our Point of Ness Campsite plans are now being finalised to re-open the Birsay campsite from the 12 August 2020.
The Community Learning and Development (CLD) service is delighted to be able to offer a new evening class for people who want to know more about staying safe online.
The annual Riding of the Marches is one of many events that have had to be cancelled this year because of the Covid-19 crisis.
Orkney Islands Council has pushed back the reopening of some leisure facilities following the recent changes in guidance from the Scottish Government.
The Board of Orkney Ferries has made a direct appeal to the Scottish Government for emergency funding to offset the damaging impact on the company of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Schools in Orkney will reopen in full during August following the Scottish Government announcement last week.
Ministers have signed off on a plan which will see pupils back in the classroom by the middle of the month.
Orkney Islands Council is delighted to confirm that from Monday 3 August grass pitches will be reopened for bookings.
From Tuesday 4 August both Hatston and Garson Household Waste Recycling Centres will again be able to accept waste electrical and electronic equipment.
Public toilets at a number of rural and outer isles sites will re-open next week (from Monday, August 3)
Orkney Islands Council are advising of three areas of roadworks that Roads Services are intending to carry out next week.
Orkney Islands Council is encouraging people interested in serving their community to consider standing in the by-election for the North Isles ward.
Orkney Islands Council has started the recruitment process for a new permanent Chief Executive.
Orkney Islands Council is advising that applications are now open for assistance towards the cost of supporting young people to continue their studies.
Public toilets at four more sites will re-open on Monday 27 July.
People living in Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre are to be asked to help build a picture of how their ferry service is currently used - and how it might develop in future.
Bus timetables for Orkney Mainland and the linked South Isles return to normal from Monday 27 July.
Maintenance work at Helliar Holm Lighthouse is set to get underway on Monday 27 July.
The Leader of Orkney Islands Council has welcomed today’s visit to Orkney by Prime Minister Boris Johnson – following the announcement of government funding for an Islands Growth Deal.
The Leaders of the three Scottish island councils have welcomed the award of £100 million in funding for a growth deal for Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles.
Youngsters in Orkney are being encouraged to take part in a special online robotics event later this month.
A course developed in Orkney to prepare local seafarers for working on and alongside hydrogen powered vessels has been approved by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
