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The St Helena Sea Rescue Service recently welcomed back Graeme Harding from the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), who returns to the Island to work with the Sea Rescue team as part of their ongoing training and development (photo attached).
Graeme brings with him a wealth of sea rescue experience and knowledge and has returned, having delivered the initial training to the team. Over the next four weeks, the St Helena Sea Rescue team will be trained and accredited to operate further off-shore as well as receiving accreditation in VHF radio use. They will also be building on the training covered in the initial course.
Chief of Police, Trevor Botting, said:
“I am delighted to welcome back Graeme to St Helena. His experience is second to none and gets the best from the team. I am very grateful to the NSRI and am pleased to be working in partnership with them to develop the team here on St Helena.
“The St Helena Sea Rescue team is committed to improving sea safety in the waters around the Island, as well as developing a flexible and professional Sea Rescue Service for the needs of St Helena.”
Graeme added:
“I am very pleased to be back on St Helena working with the Sea Rescue Team. I am looking forward to the next four weeks, putting the team through their paces, and developing their skills and capabilities.”
SHG
9 January 2017
St Helena Line (SHL) is pleased to announce that St Helenian Adam Williams (photo attached), currently Chief Officer on the RMS St Helena, will be promoted to Master of the ship. Adam will take command during Voyage 252.
Adam started his career on the RMS St Helena at the age of 16 as a Cadet, leaving St Helena in December 1997 to begin college in South Tyneside in January 1998.
During his cadetship, Adam served mainly on the RMS St Helena but was also seconded to other vessels including a four month stint on the Queen Elizabeth 2.
Adam qualified as Officer of the Watch in 2001 joining the RMS in August that year as a 3rd Officer. He was then promoted to 2nd Officer in 2003.
After gaining his 1st Mates Certificate, he did several trips in a temporary capacity of Chief Officer in 2005 and 2007. He was made permanent Chief Officer in September 2007.
Adam obtained his Master Mariner certification in December 2009.
SHL, AW Ship Management & AW Crewing would like to congratulate Adam on his promotion. He is another example of young St Helenians progressing through the ranks to reach the top of their careers.
St Helena Line
9 January 2017
CONSUMPTION RISING, RESERVOIR LEVELS DOWN SLIGHTLY
St Helena continues to suffer the effects of a lack of rainfall throughout 2016 and, with only approximately 11% of reservoir capacity filled, the raw water stock on the Island remains dangerously low.
As expected, water consumption increased slightly over the festive period. But, now that the holidays are over, it is important that we reduce our water use so that consumption rates can get back to normal.
Consumption Levels To Date
Consumption levels are indicated below, with the target level shown as an orange line.
Over the past few months, everyone on St Helena has pulled together and made a significant reduction in our water use – we are hoping that this will continue in the New Year.
While the recent rains have been welcome, reservoir levels continue to decline and we will need a lot more rain before levels become normal. Currently, we are still experiencing a daily shortfall of 100-200 cubic metres of water a day.
Therefore, please encourage friends, family, visitors and neighbours to exercise great care and restraint when using water. Every drop counts, every action counts – please do your bit.
Transfer Systems
The new water transfer system from Chubbs Spring to Scotts Mill is operational and the other networks which are partially complete will come on line soon. However, there remains a need to bowser water to and from other locations to ensure that everyone has access to water.
Geohydrological Study
Connect Saint Helena Ltd is pleased to advise that a contract has been awarded to WSP | Parsons Brinkerhoff, to carry out a geohydrological study of St Helena. This study will inform the drilling of trial bore holes on the Island. Further information will be provided as this work progresses.
Legal Restrictions
The Island-wide legal restrictions are still in force. In addition to these legal restrictions, please continue to do all of the little extra things that you have been doing to save every drop – such as recycling water, flushing the toilet less frequently, using less water to wash up etc. The little things all add up to make a big difference.
These legal restrictions do not apply to ‘Grey’ or recycled water. Water that you collect from your roof into a water butt or recycled washing water may be used for any purpose.
St Helena Resilience Forum
6 January 2017
POLICE APPEAL
Over the recent holiday period, there was a theft of a large number of flagstones from the ‘Sand Store’ at the Wharf (photo attached). These stones, belonging to Solomon & Company (St Helena) Plc, are considered to be St Helena heritage, and were the original flooring from the Malabar building. They are part of the Island’s history and are highly valued by Solomon & Company (St Helena) Plc and the Island as a whole.
Solomon & Company (St Helena) Plc is offering a reward of £500 (five hundred pounds) for any information leading to the return of these flagstones, or resulting in the conviction of any offenders.
The Police are actively searching for these flagstones, and request that any information be sent to the CID or to DC Dave Cushway on tel: 22626 or via email: dave.cushway@police.gov.sh
Any information will be treated in the strictest confidence.
SHG
6 January 2017
‘YOU SAID, WE DID’
St Helena Police have been consulting with communities across the Island as part of their new Neighbourhood Policing programme. A series of meetings and surgeries were well attended, and a vast range of subjects discussed.
Below are some of the concerns raised in the various districts and the actions taken:
Blue Hill
- Litter and broken glass at Blue Hill Shop
A new bin was placed near Blue Hill Shop on 23 December 2016
New Ground
- Loud music being played in the bus shelter on weekends, which is very annoying to neighbours
Police patrols have been, and will continue, in this area with a view to getting rid of this problem
White Gate
- Vehicles continue to speed in the Red Hill to White Gate area
Officers have increased high visibility patrols and a speeding campaign will launch soon. This concern was also addressed in the December’s Drink Drive Campaign
Longwood
- Speeding vehicles in Longwood and Deadwood during late hours
Officers have increased patrols locally to target speeding. These concerns will also be addressed when the speeding campaign is launched
Levelwood
- Vehicles speeding in the area of Silver Hill Shop
High visibility patrols will be increased in this area and speed checks are being carried out. This area will also be included in the speeding campaign
Sandy Bay
- Overgrown vegetation on roadsides
Police took this matter to the Roads Section and work has commenced to clear the vegetation
Jamestown
- Limited parking spaces
Officers have been asked to monitor the parking situation, and the Environment & Natural Resources Directorate (ENRD) is conducting a review of parking in Jamestown
- Vehicles playing loud music and making excessive noise, plus vehicle obstruction at Market Square
High visibility patrols have been carried out and will continue. ENRD is in the process of conducting a parking review which should help to alleviate these problems
- The public would like to see more Officers on foot patrols
As part of our Neighbourhood Policing, Officers are carrying out community engagement and surgeries to become more involved with the public. A new shift pattern will be introduced in late February which will put more officers on foot patrol at key times.
Chief Inspector Steve Riley said:
“I am really pleased with the number of people who have attended the beat surgeries and informed us of their concerns. As you can see, the St Helena Police Service then formulate plans to tackle the issues raised. Our aim is to make the service we provide more community focused, flexible and responsive to need.”
Some concerns are still being addressed, but once completed, these will be fed back to the community.
SHG
6 January 2017
JANUARY 2017
The St Helena Police Service formally moved to a Neighbourhood Policing Model on 1 November 2016.
As part of this move towards Neighbourhood Policing, Police Officers have been conducting ‘beat surgeries’ in various places around the Island (see dates & times below for January). These surgeries are designed to take place in busy areas where it is easier for more people to attend.
A questionnaire will also be available so people can tell the Police what concerns them most in their area. This will help the Police identify patterns which will help them to develop a problem solving plan.
Beat Surgeries – Dates & Times
|
Date |
Time |
Venue |
| Friday 6 January | 2pm – 5pm | Silver Hill Shop, Levelwood |
| Saturday 7 January | 10am – 12 noon | Post Office, Jamestown |
| Wednesday 11 January | 10am – 12 noon | Near Phillip John’s Shop, St Paul’s |
| Wednesday 11 January | 5pm – 6pm | Longwood Supermarket |
| Friday 13 January | 9am – 11am | HTH Supermarket |
| Saturday 14 January | 5pm – 6pm | Sandy Bay – Allsorts Shop |
| Monday 16 January | 12 noon – 2pm | HTH Clinic |
| Friday 20 January | 10am – 12 noon | The Canister, Jamestown |
| Saturday 21 January | 2pm – 3pm | Blue Hill Shop |
| Tuesday 24 January | 11am – 1pm | Outside the Hospital |
| Thursday 26 January | 12 noon – 1.30pm | Longwood Police Post |
| Saturday 28 January | 11am – 1pm | The Market, Jamestown |
SHG
5 January 2017
SHG notes with sadness the sudden passing of Captain Rodney Young. We wish to extend our condolences and sympathy to his family and friends at this time.
Captain Young has been a dedicated officer on the RMS for over 30 years. Captain Young was a popular and well liked figure in St Helena and he will be sorely missed.
As a mark of respect, flags at the Castle and Signal Point will be flown at half-mast.
SHG
4 January 2017
‘I am pleased to announce that Her Majesty the Queen has conferred the award of an MBE to Mrs Ivy May Yon in recognition of her services to the voluntary and tourism sectors and the teaching profession in St Helena.
‘Throughout her life, Ivy has supported and helped many people in the community who were less fortunate than herself, especially those who needed help in bringing up their children when times were more difficult than they are now. In the voluntary sector, Ivy was a member of the Girl Guide Movement for over 60 years, having been a member of the Brownies, Girl Guides and Ranger Units, and subsequently serving as a Brownie Guide Leader for 45 years. She continued in this position after her retirement, before finally relinquishing the role in 2014. Her contribution to the development of so many young girls over this 45 year period of service is immeasurable when considering the many skills the girls attained and use in their lives as a result of Ivy’s teaching and guidance.
‘Ivy has worked in the Tourism sector as a guide for the Napoleonic properties for a number of years, making herself available for tours of Longwood House and developing an almost encyclopaedic knowledge of Napoleon’s life – in particular the years that he spent on St Helena. Ivy has spent many hours talking to tourists, journalists, members of the public and schoolchildren as she conducted her tours and her significant contribution to this aspect of the Island’s tourism sector cannot be underestimated.
‘Ivy has also made an unstinting contribution to the life of the Church by fundraising and being a member of the Choir and Parochial Church Council.
‘Alongside her voluntary work, Ivy was employed in the teaching profession as a Primary School Teacher for 18 years prior to retirement, guiding and developing the Island’s children.
‘I am sure you will all join me in congratulating Ivy on this well-deserved Award.’
Lisa Phillips
Governor of St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
30 December 2016
Mrs Ethel Yon OBE was this morning reappointed as Sheriff of St Helena (photo attached).
The Sheriff’s prescribed Oaths were taken before Governor’s Deputy, Mrs Judi Leon, in the Governor’s Office at the Castle.
The Sheriff of St Helena is nominally responsible for enforcing Court Orders, usually carried out by the Police Service on the Sheriff’s behalf. The Sheriff is also responsible for summoning Jurors when a Jury is required, either in the Supreme Court or for a Coroner’s Inquest. The most conspicuous public role, however, is the swearing in of Governors and Acting Governors.
SHG
23 December 2016
UPDATE – OPERATOR COMES FORWARD
St Helena Government thanks the operator of the drone at the Festival of Lights parade for responding to its appeal for information and for agreeing to work with the Airport Directorate to resolve this matter and comply with the restrictions in future – to ensure public safety.
SHG
22 December 2016