Government of Jersey

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A decision made (01.05.07) to approve the use of Blue Beacons on coastguard vehicles.

Subject:	Coastguard Vehicle – use of Blue Beacons
Decision Reference:	MD-HA-2007-0034	Exempt clause(s):
Type of Report (oral or written):		Person Giving Report (if oral):
Telephone or e-mail Meeting?		Report File ref:		HAD/DPT 5
Written Report – Title:	written	Written report – Author:		Heidi Sydor Executive Officer
Decision(s): The Minister approved the use of Blue Beacons on Coastguard vehicles for use when proceeding to maritime emergencies, subject to the proviso that Coastguard vehicle drivers are not exempt from the Road Traffic (Jersey) Law 1956 exemptions pertaining to “fire service, ambulance or police” when attending emergency calls, as listed - 21(6),40(2f),55(1b),74(3a);
Reason(s) for decision: The service is seeking permission for the vehicle to have blue lights (flashing beacons) fitted for use when proceeding to maritime emergencies. The aim of this is to gain recognition from other road users of the need to reach scenes of any incidents promptly and safely. The branding and blue light would help to give the vehicle the authority when managing coastal incidents as ‘on scene co-ordinator’ from the shore.
Resource Implications: There are no financial implications to the HAD from this decision.
Action required: The Executive Officer, Home Affairs, to notify the Harbourmaster of the decision
Signature: (Minister/ Assistant Minister)			Date of Decision:

Coastguard vehicle - use of Blue Beacons

Coast guard vehicle branding

Introduction:

Jersey Harbours have provided a Coastguard Service for many years, but this service has not been readily apparent to members of the general public. In order to improve rescue response times and heighten general awareness of the service, the service is to launch a public awareness campaign, which aims to:

Increase the number of direct calls to the Coastguard – thus reducing wasted time on dispatching inappropriate rescue assets.
Increase the number of local boat owners sending radio reports to the Coastguard before departing and on safe return.
Decrease the number of local boats and persons involved in maritime incidents through a sea safety campaign.

As part of the move to heighten public awareness, the Coastguards have purchased a new vehicle, rather than continue to drive lease cars. This vehicle carries appropriate high visibility markings, and will be used by the duty Coastguard manager specifically for getting to the Coastguard Operations room at Maritime House for emergencies only, or to proceed directly to the scene of an incident to act as ‘on scene co-ordinator’. The vehicle is equipped with rescue equipment for harbour/maritime operations and communications equipment for marine rescues.

The service is seeking permission for the vehicle to have blue lights (flashing beacons) fitted for use when proceeding to maritime emergencies. The aim of this is to gain recognition from other road users of the need to reach scenes of any incidents promptly and safely. The branding and blue light would help to give the vehicle the authority when managing coastal incidents as ‘on scene co-ordinator’ from the shore.

Five Coastguard managers are involved currently in the roster, all are also members of the RNLI and carry responsibility for deciding when to call crew and launch lifeboats. As part of a commitment to safety and improved response times for marine emergencies, the five Coast guard mangers have recently successfully undertaken IAM advanced driver training.

Background:

Under the Road Traffic (Lighting) (Jersey) Order 1998, the Home Affairs Committee (now Minister) retains responsibility for making decisions regarding the fitting of blue warning beacons.

Art 16 states that:

No vehicle, other than an emergency vehicle, shall be fitted with –

(a) a blue warning beacon or special warning lamp; or

(b) a device which resembles a blue warning beacon or a special warning lamp, whether the same is in working order or not.

An “emergency vehicle” means a motor vehicle of any of the following descriptions –

(a) a vehicle supplied and used by the States of Jersey Fire and Rescue Service, States of Jersey Airport Fire Service, States of Jersey Ambulance Service, States of Jersey Police Force or Parochial Honorary Police for fire brigade, ambulance or police purposes;

(b) a vehicle supplied by a Centenier and used by the Centenier whilst on police duty;

(c) an ambulance, being a vehicle (other than an invalid carriage) which is constructed or adapted for the purposes of conveying sick, injured or disabled persons and which is used only for such purposes;

(d) a vehicle owned by a crew member of the St. Helier or St. Catherine lifeboat and being used for the purpose of answering an emergency call;

(e) a vehicle owned by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and used for the purposes of launching lifeboats;

(f) a vehicle operated by, or with the consent of the Committee for –

(i) the purposes of the disposal of bombs or explosives,

(ii) the purposes of a nuclear accident or an incident involving radioactivity,

(iii) the purposes of rescue operations or any other emergencies;

(g) a vehicle primarily used for the purposes of conveying blood or any human tissue for transplanting or similar purposes; and

(h) a vehicle used by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Department primarily for the purpose of checking vehicle standards;

Precedent:

For the Lifeguard service, the Committee agreed (June 2003) to the use of temporary magnetic blue lights operated on Beach Lifeguard vehicles on beaches and slipways, subject to ‘adequate driving instruction’- concern being expressed for possible ‘hazard to other road users’. At this time the Harbour Master also proposed the use of emergency lights on other vehicles operating within Jersey Harbours, and the Committee agreed to further discussions before giving full consideration to his proposals.

Drivers of different ‘emergency service’ vehicles have varying requirements for their driver training.

· Police Officers driving emergency vehicles have to take additional driving courses (by qualified Police Driving Instructors) and are graded accordingly before they are allowed to drive police vehicles.

Note: IAM Advanced Driver training would be equivalent to Police Grade 4, but this would not include being trained in driving at speed etc (emergency response).

· Ambulance drivers - Following local instruction, drivers have to attend and pass a three week driving course in the UK before they can drive on emergency call on blue lights and sirens.

· Fire service - the F&R service has very specific requirements for the training of their drivers, as per General Order 06-09-Driving Fire & Rescue service vehicles.

Changes:

Within the Road Traffic (Jersey) Law 1956, there are exemptions which pertain to “fire service, ambulance or police” when attending emergency calls 21(6) – limitation of speed

40(2f) – use of footway/cycle track

55(1b) – leaving vehicles in positions likely to cause danger/obstruction

74(3a) – neglect of traffic directions

It would be inappropriate for Coast Guard vehicles to be included under these exemptions if they were given permission to use blue flashing beacons and classed as an emergency service; current driver training levels are not as high as the Fire, Ambulance and Police emergency services.

The Road Traffic (Jersey) Law 1956 Art 21(6) ‘Limitation of speed’, and Art 40(2f) ‘Use of footways and cycle tracks’, which refer directly to fire service, ambulance and police vehicles, come under Environment and Public Services Committee (which may now be the responsibility of TTS)

Recommendation:

The Minister is recommended to approve the use of blue flashing beacons for Coastguard vehicles for use when proceeding to maritime emergencies, subject to the proviso that Coastguard vehicle drivers are not exempt from the Road Traffic (Jersey) Law exemptions listed.