Pam Pam on Orwell.

squibber

Active Member
Joined
8 Nov 2011
Messages
58
Visit site
I heard Thames Coastguard give out a Pam Pam at 1730hrs today (Friday). They said 3 red flares had been reported on the Orwell but I saw nothing at Levington and I could see from there to Woolverstone and back to Harwich. I think I saw the Inshore Life Boat checking out a boat close to the water ski area near Trimley and then continue up river towards Ipswich. Then the helicopter came along searching but at 1808hrs Thames cancelled the Pam Pam?????

pete
 
Think Pam Pam is much more fun. Bit like calling Maureen............who apparently is really cheap.....but I've never tried!!
 
The cops have asked local sailing clubs to warn folks to check their boats as some were broken into near Orwell Bridge and flares let off.

pete
 
I may be wrong on this one, but why did Thames Coastguard issue a Pan-Pan if they wanted to report sighting flares, presumably asking if anyone has seen them to help them locate the problem?

I would have thought that they would issue a Securite instead, as Thames coastguard are not the ones that are in trouble? Alternative a 'MayDay Something' could be used to indicate that they are responding to a Mayday (There are lots of extra French words that can follow a Mayday, none of which I can remember), as red flares would indicate a need for immediate assistance.

Can anyone throw light on this one?

Gitane
 
I can only guess but as the ILB went first to a small motorboat moored and possibly fishing I reckon that saw the red flares and telephoned the emergency services who informed Thames Coastguard who radioed a Pan Pan All Boats asking if anyone else had seen anything and for them to report back. Now it is possible Ipswich Lock or somebody else in the near area reported back and I was out of range and never heard them.

pete
 
A red flare report should lead to a 'Mayday Relay' from the CG, unless they have further information not disclosed to the public.
 
Top