News

29.08.16

Steering group Coast Guard Centre August 24th 2016

Wednesday August 24th, the governor of West-Flanders presided a meeting of the steering group Coast Guard Centre. Also present were representatives of our coast guard partners the ministry of Defence, Customs, Waterway and River police, Federal Public Service (FPS) Mobility and Transport, the crisis centre of FPS Interior, the agency for Maritime Services and Coast and the coast guard secretariat. The firm Antea presented an interim report about the different options for integration. Another topic of discussion was the possibility to participate to a future call for proposals in the fall. This project was made possible with the support of the Internal Security Fund (ISF)-Police fund, managed by FPS Interior.
25.08.16

Site walk Zwin

The cross-border nature park het Zwin (in Knokke-Heist and Sluis) is in the process of a huge transformation. The extensive works took off on March 15th. The surface of het Zwin will increase with no less than 120 hectares . The Zwin trench will be made deeper and bigger to limit the silting up. A new embankment will also be constructed to procect the park against storm sturges out of sea. Our coast guard partner Coastal Division is in charge of the coordination. The works will be finished in 2019.

Curious as to what has already been done? You can discover it on Sunday August 28th (10am) on a guided tour. Click here for more information on the tour.

www.zwininverandering.eu
23.08.16

I would like to work as a lifeguard at sea. What do I do?

From the age of 16, you can take a course at WOBRA (West-Vlaams Opleidingscentrum voor Brandweer-, Reddings-, en Ambulancediensten) in Oostende, Brugge, Kortrijk or Koksijde. The lessons take place from September to March, cost about 175 euros and include 25 hours practice and 18 hours theory (43 hours in total). The exam consists of three parts: theory, swimming practice, reanimation and first aid and finally a sea swimming test. If you pass all three parts, you get the certificate 'lifeguard at sea' which is valid for three years.

www.redderaanzee.be - www.redderaanzee.wobra.be
19.08.16

Vacancy Fleet

Our coast guard partner Fleet is looking to hire a cook on board its vessels in the area Ostend/coast. Apply before August 31st.
More information: http://www.welkombijvloot.be/c/vacatures/20534
18.08.16

Keep the beach clean

A warm and sunny day? Lots of people and atmosphere along the coast. What's not to like? All the cigarette stubs left behind on the beach, that's what. It can take up to 12 years to break down a cigarette stub and because they contain non-biodegradable plastic, they can never be completely 'digested'. Not very pleasant for other beachgoers, and also harmful to birds and fish.

That is why the province of West-Flanders, together with Westtoer and Eneco Beach Clean Cup started with the distribution of free beach ashtrays in all coastal municipalities. You can get them in surfclubs, beach bars, lifeguard posts and the tourism offices.

They are made of carboard and can contain 10 cigarette stubs. After usage, they can be thrown in the bin. No more excuses to leave your cigarettes behind on the beach!
17.08.16

Open door aerial base Koksijde and Runway Run

Friday August 19th, our coast guard partner Defence opens the doors of the aerial base of Koksijde to the public. You are welcome from 1pm to 5pm to come and admire the famous Seaking helicopters and their NH90 successors.

Should you have energy left after that, you can participate to the Runway Run at 7pm. The proceeds go to charity and there are maiden flights to be won.

More information and registration:www.mil.be
12.08.16

Can I pick mussels straight off the beach or in the port?

No, in Belgium this is forbidden by law. Moreover, it is a really bad idea according to research carried out by ILVO, the Institute for Agriculture and Fishery Research. This research shows that eating 'wild' mussels can cause stomach - and bowel infections since they contain a high amount of microbes that can make you ill. Mussels picked off the beach or quay walls also contain more chemical substances than those you buy in the supermarket.
12.08.16

Federal Truck tours Belgian coast

During the first two weeks of July, the Federal Truck, where specialist of various governmental authorities are present to answer your questions, did a tour along the Belgian coast. Missed your chance to visit? No worries, from August 15th you get a new chance. You can meet two of our coast guard partners: Marine Environment Division of FPS Public Health has a campaign about the protection of the North Sea and FPS Mobility and Transport has a campaign on the new rules for watersports.

See here where and when you can visit.
09.08.16

Lifeguards help over 700 lost children

During the month of July, the lifeguards reunited 714 lost children with their parents or supervisors. Thanks to the wristbands that most children wore, the lifeguards were able to help quickly. The wristbands are distributed freely by IKWV (Intercommunal for Coastal Lifeguard Services in West-Flanders) and you can get them at tourism offices, first aid posts or newspaper shops along the coast.

Read also: 'What should I do when my child has got lost on the beach?'
04.08.16

Rescue exercise Koksijde

Wednesday August 3rd, the governor of West-Flanders organized an exercise to test the procedure for saving drowning persons along the Belgian coast. It was the second exercise of this summer and it was held off the coast of Oostduinkerke (a sub-municipality of Koksijde). A first exercise took place earlier this summer in De Haan. The same scenario was followed, but contrary to the De Haan exercise, the weather was not as good, which made the operation more challenging. Everything went smoothly and all the partners concerned, including some of our coast guard partners, got to play a part. In September, a third and last exercise will be held in Knokke.