Category: News

The St Helena Sea Rescue Service along with the Dive Club Recovery Service and members of the Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Unit held a joint exercise to test skills learnt in previous training sessions in relation to victim recovery on Wednesday, 5 June 2019.

A life-like training manikin was sunk in the Lemon Valley area the day before in preparation for the exercise, with various props used to simulate foul play.

The Sea Rescue team used their two RIB vessels to transport all involved to the scene. On arrival, all were briefed on the situation and teams were tasked to carry out a search to recover the body of the so called reported victim.

The objective of this exercise was mainly for all parties to practice ways in which to recover a victim safely and efficiently and most importantly to preserve evidence within a difficult environment. It was also important to test current work procedures and processes in relation to working together on board the two inshore RIBs with divers and their kit, plus Sea Rescue crew and CSI staff.

On completion of the exercise, a hot debrief was held in order to identify areas that could be improved and done differently on the next exercise, in preparation for a real event. Overall, all parties were satisfied but agreed that more training sessions are needed to develop and perfect the current skill set.

Crime Scene Investigator, Sergeant Michelle Thomas Lawrence, said:

“These training exercises help us to prepare forensically for the eventuality of a real dive recovery operation. By having the Sea Rescue and Dive Club Recovery teams on board and knowing what is required, it not only helps us (CSIs) to do our jobs better but it enables the whole exercise to run more smoothly.

 “Further training sessions are planned in the near future as this allows us to continually learn and practice should a real incident occur, as well as help us all understand each other’s abilities and roles.”    

Dive Club Secretary, Samantha Cherrett, added:

“These joint exercises that the St Helena Dive Club Recovery Service and Sea Rescue Service hold are invaluable sessions for identifying the best way for both teams to work together during a real incident. Each exercise helps identify potential problems to mitigate against, so that in the event of a real incident, we can act swiftly and efficiently. The Dive Club would like to thank the Sea Rescue team for taking the time to hold these training exercises.”

#StHelena #SeaRescueExercise #VictimRecovery #AltogetherSafer #CSI

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SHG

25 June 2019

• Island-wide water restrictions now in place but no change in consumption levels
• Reservoirs remain at dangerously low levels
• Recent rainfall has not improved the situation
• This is an Island-wide issue and until the situation improves we must all restrict our water usage to essential use only

 St Helena water levels remain dangerously low with just 25 days of raw water level stock available on the Island (see photos attached of Harpers 3 Reservoir with one metre of water depth).

Connect Saint Helena Ltd (CSH) enforced Island-wide water restrictions from Monday, 24 June 2019, but so far there has been no change in consumption levels. Current consumption is around 400,000 litres per day greater than the water flowing into reservoirs.  This equates to about a 1.5% reduction in reservoir volume per day.  A reduction of 30% in consumption is required to stabilise reservoir levels.

To preserve our precious resource it is important that we cut down our water use to essential use only. Despite some rain over the last two days, this is not enough to improve the situation as this water only gets absorbed by the ground. At least two weeks of continuous meaningful rainfall is needed to make a positive difference in reservoir levels.

CSH is continuing to utilise other sources of water – tanks, boreholes & springs – and are back-pumping from Chubbs Spring to Red Hill and also bowsering from Jamestown to sustain available resources.

It is everyone’s responsibility to take great care in using our water and consumers are urged to reduce consumption wherever possible. St Helena residents, businesses and people who use water for agricultural purposes are also urged to exercise great care and restraint when using water.

Regular updates on reservoir levels will be issued to the public.

If you see anyone using water irresponsibly or notice a burst pipe or leak then please inform CSH immediately.

Every drop counts, every action counts – Everyone must save every drop of water possible.

#StHelena #WaterShortage #EveryDropCounts  

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St Helena Resilience Forum

25 June 2019

The formal opening of the St Helena Supreme Court took place at 10am today, Monday 24 June 2019.

The opening commenced as His Lordship, the Chief Justice, Charles Ekins Esq, entered the Courthouse accompanied by the Sheriff of St Helena, Mrs Ethel Yon OBE, Bishop Dale Bowers, and Chief Magistrate, Nicholas Aldridge. Lawyers, Justices of the Peace, officials, and members of the public were also in attendance.

Acting Attorney General, Allen Cansick, welcomed the Lord Chief Justice and introduced members of the Attorney General’s Chambers, the Public Solicitor’s Office, Lay Advocates and the Probation Service to the Supreme Court and welcomed back Andrew Jackson of Counsel.  He further expressed the commitment of Government to the effective administration of justice.

This was followed by an address from the Chief Justice. In his address the Chief Justice acknowledged the successful completion by Ms Kerrie Johnson and Mr Alwyn Thomas of their respective training contracts in the Attorney General’s Chambers.

The Chief Justice said:

“I am very pleased to note the successful completion by Ms Kerrie Johnson and Mr Alwyn Thomas of their respective training contracts. It is a measure of how far, in this respect, St Helena has developed since I was appointed Chief Justice that we are now able to nurture and foster young talent to fruition ourselves here on St Helena.”

The Chief Justice then noted the departure of two Lay Advocates and urged members of the community to service the community as Lay Advocates.

The Chief Justice concluded:

“My vigorous support for the Lay Advocatory is a matter of record. It enables an access to justice here on St Helena to an extent that is rare elsewhere in the world.

 “I know that my remarks on the opening of the St Helena Supreme Court are frequently broadcast on local radio and, if this occurs on this occasion, I have no hesitation or embarrassment of taking this opportunity of urging members of our community here who feel they have an aptitude to act as Lay Advocates, to come forward to serve the community in that vital role. A role which, I’m sure the Lay Advocates will confirm, offers considerable interest and satisfaction.”  

 The St Helena Supreme Court will continue until Friday, 5 July 2019.

#StHelena #ChiefJustice #SupremeCourt #FormalOpening

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SHG

24 June 2019

Governor Dr Philip Rushbrook will depart the Island on Saturday, 29 June 2019, for his first official visit to Ascension Island.

On the announcement of his appointment in December 2018, Governor Rushbrook committed to visiting Ascension as soon as possible. This visit in July 2019, two months after his inauguration is the realisation of that commitment, and reflects his role as Governor for all three territories.

During HE’s time on Ascension he will be involved in a number of meetings with Councillors, officials from Ascension Island Government and representatives from the employing organisations.

Governor Rushbrook will return to St Helena on Saturday, 13 July. During HE’s absence, Chief Secretary, Susan O’Bey, will be Acting Governor while the Governor is in transit from St Helena to Ascension (via the UK), she will then revert to Governor’s Deputy while the Governor is on Ascension Island.

#StHelena #AscensionIsland #Governor

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SHG

24 June 2019

Ascension Island Government’s (AIG) Director of Conservation & Fisheries, Diane Baum, Terrestrial Conservation & Biosecurity Officer and Reserve Warden, Vicky Knight, and Customs Officer, Kazz Singh, undertook an exposure visit with the St Helena Biosecurity team in May/June 2019.

The overall purpose of the exposure visit was for the AIG team to see how Biosecurity St Helena operates, the system and processes involved, and the challenges they face in helping other local agencies to protect St Helena’s borders. This experience would then help to further the development of the customised biosecurity system for Ascension Island.

During their time on St Helena, the AIG team shadowed the local Biosecurity team, and were exposed to St Helena Biosecurity policies and work at the Jamestown Wharf, where they conducted fruit and vegetable checks and containers and vehicle checks – removing mud, insects and any other unwanted invasive substances. The team also spent time with the Terrestrial Conservation Section and the Invasive Plant Management team. Ascension Customs Officer, Kazz, was also able to work alongside HM Customs (who work very closely with St Helena Biosecurity).

Biosecurity Officer, Julie Balchin, commented:

“It has been a pleasure to have these officers join us. This is just the start of a continued collaborative working relationship between our two Islands with the same aim of protecting our Islands from invasive pests, plants, and diseases using a proactive Biosecurity approach.”

Acting Director of Environment, Natural Resources & Planning, Darren Duncan, added:

“We are always happy to accommodate exposure visits for biosecurity staff working in the region. This enables a sharing of knowledge and experience and increased collaboration on biosecurity matters in the South Atlantic, which in turn strengthens our biosecurity systems and helps to further our shared responsibility for protecting and developing our territories.”

Notes to Editor

Biosecurity St Helena’s objective is to protect St Helena from any unwanted pests, diseases, weeds and anything that can become invasive to the Island. Their activities are targeted across the continuum of:

Pre-border: stopping anything unwanted/invasive from coming to the Island. For example, enforcing licences which have conditions that certain measures must be taken by persons outside of St Helena to prevent diseases etc from coming in to the Island. This typically happens while working closely with importers.

Border: conducting checks of imported fruit and vegetable, containers, vehicles and any other risk imports to the Island to ensure that nothing invasive comes in.

Post-border: monitoring activities to check if pests or diseases have found their way through to the Island after pre-border and border operations and to monitor the status of pests which have already entered St Helena, such as the Mediterranean Fruit Fly.

#StHelena #AscensionIsland #AIG #Biosecurity #ANRD #AltogetherSafer

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SHG

24 June 2019

An emergency response exercise involving the St Helena Fire & Rescue Service (SHF&RS), Port Control and crew of the MV Helena was carried out on Tuesday, 18 June 2019.

The exercise was divided into two scenarios with a fire and casualty situation in the Fo’c’s’le Store and a case of an injured person who had fallen into the Number Two Cargo Hold.

Brigade Manager, Alan Thomas, commented:

“First and foremost, I would like to convey our appreciation and sincere thanks to Captain Williams and crew of the MV Helena for allowing us to interrupt their busy schedule to facilitate us during this exercise.

 “These scenario-based exercises are important, in order for us to test our initial emergency response capabilities and our operational resilience to such incidents. It also forges good working relationships while testing the interoperability between different agencies.

 “Like all exercises, there were key learning points that will be and has been addressed for future reference. However, even though this was our first ‘live’ exercise, it was an overall success, bearing in mind the ship is an unfamiliar working environment for the SHF&RS.

 “Thank you to all involved for your tremendous efforts.”

Captain of the MV Helena, Adam Williams, added:

“This has proved to be an invaluable exercise from which all associated parties will have gained a wealth of knowledge and experience. The potential of a fire aboard a ship while moored at Rupert’s Jetty is very real. This is a new learning and proving ground for SHF&RS, and I am pleased we have been able to facilitate such an exercise. I am also pleased with the level of interest the SHF&RS has shown in the MV Helena and the willingness to become familiar with the challenging and often hostile shipboard environment.

“The SHF&RS staff conducted themselves with the utmost enthusiasm and professionalism during the entire exercise.  While the environment was completely new to them, their high level of training and their ability to adapt and deal with an unfamiliar environment was readily apparent to all concerned.

“The entire SHF&RS team are a vitally important emergency service and a much appreciated asset to both the Island and of course to the MV Helena when berthed at Rupert’s.  We on the MV Helena are proud and pleased to establish this working relationship with the team. 

“Additionally, the Controller at the St Helena Control Room should be congratulated for his professionalism and efficiency in handling this unusual emergency scenario. A credit to the wider emergency community.”

Harbour Master, Steve Kirk, concluded:

“I must say that overall it proved to be a very successful exercise carried out by everyone involved and with the utmost professionalism too.

“Port Control may have only played a small part in this operation, but it was great to see different departments/sectors working together towards the same goal. Hopefully, we’ll be able to repeat this again in the coming months. Thanks once again to all involved.”

#StHelena #MVHelena #AWShipping #StHelenaFire&Rescue #PortControl #RupertsJetty # AltogetherSafer

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SHG

24 June 2019

Members of the St Helena team competing in the 2019 Natwest Island Games in Gibraltar will depart the Island tomorrow, Saturday 22 June 2019.

Team St Helena competitors – Duwaine Yon, Colby Thomas and Brooke Yon – will be accompanied by Jeremy Roberts from the National Sports Association of St Helena (NSASH). They will join remaining team member Aiden Yon-Stevens and Team Managers, Nick Stevens and Tina Yon-Stevens, in the UK for a week’s training before departing for Gibraltar on 3 July, in time for the opening of the Games on Saturday, 6 July.

Duwaine and Colby will compete in the 50m and 100m Freestyle swimming events. Brooke will compete in the 50m and 100m Breaststroke and Aiden will compete in the 800m and 400m Athletics events.

Good luck Team St Helena!

#StHelena #Gibraltar #NatWestIslandGames #TeamStHelena

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SHG

21 June 2019

The report on the review of Utility Services Provider, Connect Saint Helena Ltd (CSH), is now available on the St Helena Government (SHG) and CSH websites:

https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/publications/ and http://www.connect.co.sh/press-releases–other-news.html

Key findings from the Review

• CSH’s performance indicates the company is achieving most of the main objectives set out in the divestments process and they are meeting the targets highlighted in the Utility Services Ordinance 2013 and Licence
• CSH is making substantive progress in providing much improved utility services to consumers and a firm foundation to becoming financially self-sustaining with the elimination of the SHG subsidy and the potential for privatisation
• The current framework for utility services provision is appropriately structured and working satisfactorily, with some room for improvement.

The review of CSH’s in-house systems and processes generally conclude that the Company is performing well and fulfilling its objectives. However, it is recognised that there is still more to be done and CSH will now, with relevant stakeholders, take forward the recommendations resulting from the Review.

Notes to Editors

BDO LLP was contracted by SHG to carry out a review of Connect Saint Helena Ltd. The key objectives were to:

• Produce a detailed report documenting the current status of Connect Saint Helena Ltd in terms of performance and governance
• Review the performance management processes and systems for identifying cost savings
• Review pricing metrics and identify how these could be regulated in future to provide a more sustainable footing for Connect Saint Helena Ltd; and
• Provide options and recommendations for future governance and oversight arrangement which SHG could put in place.

#StHelena #ConnectSaintHelena #Review 

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SHG

21 June 2019