Search and rescue dogs converge on Morgan Marine for special training event.

Search and Rescue dogs from across the UK were in the Morgan Marine yard this weekend to put their skills to the test in a specialised training event aimed at giving – many of them – their first experience of travelling on water.

Morgan Marine have a long history with Fire & Rescue Services as we give them free, unlimited access to our yard and slipway for waterborne training purposes. This event though, which was the biggest of its kind in this country, saw 28 dogs from a variety of emergency services and from as far afield as the highlands of Scotland taking part in an intense search scenario.

Setting off from the Morgan Marine slipway in Brightlingsea, the dogs travelled via high-speed RIBs to Mersea Island, where they were then each tasked with various time sensitive searches.

In a unique opportunity to test how the animals respond to the potentially traumatic experience of boat travel, the dogs performed extremely well, locating hidden and trapped items once on the island. These varied to suit the dogs specialised field but included, blood, money, explosives and dummy/model people!

Event organiser and Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Dog Handler Graham Currie said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for us to work together as emergency services and put our search and rescue dogs to the test”

“These animals are highly trained and are incredibly good at what they do: working in high pressure circumstances to be there for people who are trapped, in need of rescue or who are part of criminal investigations.”

Graham and his USAR colleagues took part in the event, many of whom have also been deployed overseas as part of their International Search and Rescue responsibilities in areas hit by natural disasters.

Morgan Marine have always strived to offer a complete service to its customers…. A short while ago we had a lovely Jeanneau Leader 805 come into the Morgan Marine Boatyard for sale on brokerage. A popular boat and competitively priced, it sold within days before even being advertised or going onto our website. We keep a database of contacts always looking for certain boats and this was one of those. The new customer was of course delighted we had been able to match his details to this boat. Following on from the sale (and before delivery) we completed a full engine service, a comprehensive PDI (Pre-Delivery Inspection) as well as installation of some new electronics. The boat was then freshly anti-fouled and finished off with renaming after the owner’s wife.

A few days later both Will and Sam from our workshop, who had carried out all the work, set off at 5.30 am to deliver the boat to her new home – at Brundle Bay Marina in Norfolk.

Arriving into Great Yarmouth at 9.30 am everything was going to plan, until they had to wait for two hours for the road bridge to lift! From there was a leisurely cruise along the Norfolk Broads for 20 miles where they then berthed at Brundle. The boat was given a clean, then they simply hopped on a train back to Colchester, with a taxi taking them back to Morgan Marine Brightlingsea. Arriving back just before 5pm. Mission accomplished!

Morgan Marine really can offer a comprehensive complete service for all our customers. From servicing and repairs, to electronics installation, to re-naming, slipway and pontoon services and even delivery – by sea or road. Browse across through website for further details and our entire list of services. You can find  workshop services here: https://morganmarine.com/workshop-parts/  If you don’t see what you are looking for – call us. We are here to help!

Over the years, we get many varied and interesting boats into the yard for winter overhauls, or longer, for restoration. Some have great historical significance and are full of history often dating back to well over a century. Maria, a beautiful fishing smack, is just such a boat. Built by Harris Bros at Rowhedge, in 1866 for a Mr Gunn of Wivenhoe, she had a reputation for speed, primarily because she was narrower than the other smacks. This reputation gave her a charmed life. She has been abandoned twice to become a near-rotten hulk and she has been saved both times over the years. After 152 years’ she now lives in Brightlingsea, on the River Colne, this time with a very long career ahead of her, sailing and racing successfully in her home waters around the Thames Estuary.

She will be in the Morgan Marine yard until May, having a full re-paint, spars out and re-fit.

Interestingly, anyone can experience what it’s like to sail aboard Maria as she is owned by the Tall Ships Restoration Company, of which Paul Winter is a director, and will be available for charter work out of Brightlingsea at very reasonable rates-  A day aboard will be like a step back in time, to the days of the Essex Smacksmen when in the early part of the 20th century, the year round battle of fishing and dredging for oysters was only broken crewing on the big racing yachts berthed around Brightlingsea during the summer months. Look at this clip to give you an idea! https://youtu.be/8doyGCt4RbY

Maria has her own website, a fantastic source of her history, up to date news, race results, blog and how to get on board! It really is a fascinating read. Please do take a look: http://ck21maria.co.uk

If you would like more information on our yard rates for storage, or to work on your own boat, please call Ric or Steve Morgan at Morgan Marine on 01206 302008. All yards are secured every evening and we have 24hr CCTV. There is also a toilet and shower block on site as well as ample parking.

We were recently lucky enough to acquire two lovely pieces of Naval history with a view to offering to our customers.

Siemens Brothers of London, Ship’s Brass Telegraph, twin hammerhead design and independent handles. Ship’s commands include: ‘Hard, Port, Steady, Course, Steady, Starboard, hand written on one head and Let Go, Slack Away, Not Clear, Make Fast, Heave In, Stop Winch’ and ‘All Clear’ on the other head. Removed from a 1940’s Royal Navy destroyer, similar to the Hunt Class Escort Destroyer shown in the first image.  Very heavy and exceptional quality. A lovely piece in highly polished brass with working handles.

Also:

Aluminium fluted spot light, on stand, was originally from a German merchant navy ship, circa 1970’s. Again, very strong and heavy design. Beautifully made and a real feature for any workspace/living area. The lamp has been converted to tale a conventional bulb with inline switch.

In addition: The wooden ships wheel was ordered new by us in 1985… and has remained with us as an ornament, until now. Beautifully made and ready to be used for its intended purpose – or as an ornamental.

Some great Seafaring Memorabilia here and hopefully we will be adding to our stock over the coming months,

Available to view in the Morgan Marine shop at Waterside Marina, Brightlngsea. Due to the size, weight and nature of these items the buyer must collect. We may be able to arrange local delivery at cost. Call 01206 302008 and speak to Ric Morgan for prices and further details.