News

30.06.14

Coast Guard Consulation Body 20 June 2014

Friday 20th of June the second meeting of the Coast Guard consultation body of 2014 took place in Bruges. A new project to monitor the presence of jellyfish at sea was discussed. Scientists suspect that the population of jellyfish is increasing. Because of the influence this could have on the environment and the food chain, this phenomenon deserves global follow-up. The past few years knew a significant rise in jellyfish along the Belgian coast.

The governor of West-Flanders outlined his newly added responsibility: as of June 1st he is appointed 'receiver of underwater cultural heritage'. This means that findings in the North Sea with a possible cultural and historical value are to be reported with the governor. The findings are entered into a database and after consideration, an advice is issued for the minister of the North Sea wether or not the find is deemed cultural heritage.

To conclude, the coast guard partners had the opportunity to learn more about OSR, an electronic logbook used to tackle disasters of great impact. Entries in this logbook happen in real time and are immediately visible to all parties concerned. It is being looked at if this system can be of use for the contigency plan for the North Sea.
02.06.14

Free wristbands available from the lifesavers

Planning to go to the Belgian coast with the kids? Do not forget to go and fetch you free wristbands. Your kids can choose between the animation figures of Maya the Bee and Wickie the Viking. Fill in the name of your child, the location and your mobile phone number, so lost children can be reunited quickly with their parents.

On the beach you can get the wristbands from the lifesavers and there is always a bag with wristbands to be found at the bottom of the lifesavers' chair. You can also get the wristbands at the tourism offices, the first aid posts or the newspaper shops along the coast.
28.05.14

Agreement of cooperation for the Maritime Security Centre Belgium

The 21st of May marks an important date for the Maritime Security Centre Belgium. Admiral Michel Hofman (Belgian Navy), Commissioner Olivier Libois (General Direction Administrative Police) and Noël Colpin (Administrator - general Customs and Excise) signed an agreement in which a corporate and common vision for the (near) future is established.

The Maritime Security Centre Belgium has its headquarters in the naval base in Zeebrugge and unifies Customs, Waterway and River police and Defense. Since 2008 all three of them have cooperated closely to maintain law and order at sea. In 2011 the time had come to make further advancements and a working group was established whose goal was to make the centre fully operational and to increase efficiency.

After two years of hard work and many a positive result, this agreement is the jewel in the crown of cooperation. It contains the goals and responsiblities of each partner and constitutes an important contribution to the safety off our coast.
28.05.14

Ostend at Anchor 2014

From May 29th until June 1st Ostend at Anchor is back in town. This year's theme is the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Ostend.Next to the 150 participating vessels, the exhibitions and music performances, you can also meet a number of our coast guard partners:the agency for Maritime Services and Coast (MDK) and its four components- Fleet, Shipping Assistance Division, Pilotage and Coastal Division - the Maritime and River Police, FPS Public Health, the Navy and the Management Unit of the North Sea Mathematical Models (MUMM).
www.oostendevooranker.be

Are you between the ages of 10 and 16 and would you like to experience what it means to be a lifesaver at sea? Our coast guard partner Fleet offers you the opportunity to make a trip on board of a lifeboat during the Ostend at Anchor weekend. You have to register beforehand. www.welkombijvloot.be
22.05.14

Make a trip on board of a Fleet lifeboat during Ostend at Anchor

Are you between the ages of 10 and 16 and would you like to experience what it means to be a lifesaver at sea? Our coast guard partner Fleet offers you the opportunity to make a trip on board of a lifeboat during the Ostend at Anchor weekend. You have to register beforehand. www.welkombijvloot.be
14.05.14

Expert meeting NACGF 2014

From March 31st until April 4th 2014 the North Atlantic Coast Guard Forum (NACGF) took place in Canada. Delegates of all member states have participated in various specialized working groups.
The NACGF was founded in 2007 and is a non– binding, voluntary forum between the coast guard organisations of 20 countries. The main goal is to promote and facilitate cooperation and to exchange information on best practices and experiences.The Coast Guard Secretariat is the national point of contact for all

matters regarding the NACGF. Each year one of the member states organizes an 'expert meeting' in the spring. In the fall there is always a meeting of all heads of delegation.

For Belgium, the nautical head of the Maritime Rescue and Coordination Centre (MRCC - Shipping Assistance Division) took part in the expert meeting, together

with several federal coast guard partners of FPS Public Health, the Waterway and River Police, the ministry of Defence and Customs. They focused on topics such as environmental response, drug traficking, Search and Rescue (SAR) and illegal migration.

In 2015 the Dutch Coast Guard will host the North ATlantic Coast Guard Forum.
14.05.14

30 years of Belgica

Brussels is the place to be on Sunday May 18th. The oceanographic research vessel Belgica celebrates its thirtieth anniversary. You can board the ship and get to know the different marine researchers. Our coast guard partners Continental Shelf Service (FPS Economy), the ministry of Defence and the Mumm ( Management Unit for the North Sea Mathematical Models - part of the Royal Belgian Institute for Natural Sciences) will be present.

You can also visit the Belgian Navy Vessel Stern, which is deployed in case of oil pollution, diving operations, mine sweeping and training.

Definitely worth a visit! Everyone welcome from 10am to 5pm on the Heembeekkaai.

www.feestindehaven.be

www.howbigisbelgica.be
09.05.14

Open door at Cenflumarin in Zwijndrecht

Interested in a career on the water?
Come to the open door at the maritime institute Cenflumarin in Zwijndrecht on May 11th!

www.cenflumarin.be

More on maritime training and schooling: www.areyouwaterproof.be
05.05.14

Info afternoon in the Antwerp Maritime Academy

Interested in a maritime career? Come to the Antwerp Maritime Academy on Wednesday 7 May from 2pm till 6pm and learn everything about training courses, internships and conditions to register.

www.hzs.be
29.04.14

Vacancy FPS Finances

Our coast guard partner FPS Finances - Customs and Excise is recruiting bachelors and customs officers. Applications before 7th May.

More information on the selor website.