6. Accreditation by HMCG

a. The Exmouth HMCI Tower was first given “Declared Facility” status after inspection on 18^th March 2006 and the appropriate certificate was posted within the Tower.

b. It must be noted that such accreditation can be withdrawn at any time (temporarily or permanently) for any of the following reasons:-

i) Failure of the Watch-keeping staff to operate to standards of competence as determined by the MCA.

ii) Failure of both VHF radios in the Tower (see Note 1: below)

iii) Failure of the landline telephone.

Note 1: If one VHF radio should fail you should promptly inform the Station Manager (or Deputy).  You should also inform the Coast Guard Stations at Portland and Brixham that you have limited functionality of your VHF radio equipment but that you are taking urgent action to remedy such failure.  The remaining VHF Radio should be re-set to scan Channels 0, 10, 16, 67 and 69. If you are uncertain how to achieve this, you should await the arrival of the Station Manager (or Deputy). 

Note 2: In the event that both VHF radio sets fail, you should promptly inform the Station Manager (or Deputy).  You should also inform the Coast Guard Stations at Portland and Brixham of such failures but that you are taking urgent action to remedy such failures.  It is for the CoastGuard to decide whether or not your station is to be considered non-operational.

Note 3: It is the duty of all members to report all equipment failures to the Coast Guard Stations at Portland and Brixham just as soon as they become known – our Station Manager (or deputy) must also be promptly informed of these actions.   If it is an equipment failure that can be rectified within a short time, the CG can be told this but it must be clearly understood that the Tower may be considered non-operational until such time as repairs have been completed, the equipment has been tested and the Station Manager (or Deputy) has given authority to inform the Coast Guard Stations at Portland and Brixham.

1^st Draft revision