[ad_1]
UK Coastguard search and rescue staff are being given training that will help them defend their actions at future inquiries into how at least 27 people died in the Channel last year, the Guardian has learned.
In August, HM Coastguard awarded a £19,200 contract to training company Bond Solan to prepare operational search and rescue staff to give evidence at legal hearings, which will “assure that they carry out their duties in accordance with expected procedures that may be challenged. Inquiries or enquiries.”
Trial one-day crisis on training courses are to be delivered between October 2022 and March 2023.
This training will prepare tactical and tactical members of the Coast Guard to respond to cross-examination, communicate effectively and familiarize themselves with evidence. The aim of the training is to provide Coastguard staff with an “awareness and understanding of the legal requirement to record decisions in the delivery of search and rescue incidents within the United Kingdom legal framework”.
The UK Coastguard’s search and rescue response to the sinking in the Channel on 24 November 2021 has been heavily criticised, after it emerged that the 34 people on board the sinking dinghy waited more than 12 hours for a rescue ship or aircraft to arrive at the scene. . By the time support arrived, all but two passengers had drowned or died of exposure.
Call records released by French authorities as part of an investigation into the incident show that during the night the UK coastguard continued to deny being in British waters. Records show the boat entered British waters at 2.30am.
In a report released last week, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) acknowledged that several lives had been lost in British waters and that calls were made to the UK Coastguard on the night of 24 November. It added: “The MAIB was aware of the incident at the time but did not take any action.”
The MAIB is investigating the incident and it is understood there will be no formal investigation into what happened until that investigation is complete.
The Bond Solon contract is seen by lawyers and search and rescue experts as the first sign that an investigation is forthcoming. It follows the opening of a criminal investigation into the French coastguard by French authorities last month.
A spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: “We provide this type of training on a regular basis as the nature of our work requires staff to regularly attend coroner’s inquests and fatal accident inquests.”
Maria Thomas, Duncan Lewis, the law firm representing the relatives of many of those who died in the incident, said: “On behalf of our clients, we reiterate that transparency and an independent, public inquiry to ensure this is urgent and as soon as possible. Needs to happen on occasion. Accountability for the biggest loss of life in the Channel in over three decades.”
[ad_2]
Source link
