The MCA is the body in the UK responsible for implementing government maritime safety policy. It is composed of the Coastguard and teams involved in the and inspection of vessels. The organisation, with its 27 marine offices and coastguard stations, is managed as three regions: Scotland/Northern Ireland; Eastern England; and Wales and Western England. Ther are 1100 full-time staff, 3000 volunteer auxilliaries and its resources include four ocean-going tugs. Its four SAR helicopters are supplemented by coverage agreements with the RAF and RN.

The UK is a contracting government to SOLAS with responsibilities to provide maritime information as specified under Regulation 5 as both warnings and forecasts. It provides these services in partnership with several other organisations: Met Office, BBC, UK Hydrographic Office, Inmarsat, Stratus(the operator of Goonhilly communications facility). Almost £3/4 million are spent each year on these services on the left.

They are delivered through various means: the BBC, the MCAs own radio network and NAVTEX. Increasingly, other means of propagating warnings and forecasts are used - notably the internet.

The system has its limitations largely because it has to provide information to users with quite diverse needs. Consultation with interested organisations (for yachtmen the RYA and the CYCC) is maintained to ensure that, as far as possible within financial and other constraints, users get the information they require.

Summary by Geoff Meggitt and Carol Sparkes