0:00:08 > 0:00:11It's the busiest waterway in the world.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16Come on, Skipper. Get a move on. That way.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18A gateway to our nation.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21Over 90% of the world's trade travels by sea.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24It's not just TVs and refrigerators, it's everything around us.
0:00:24 > 0:00:27Protected by a multi-agency task force, it's a
0:00:27 > 0:00:29unique stretch of water.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33This is warship Tyne, warship Tyne, channel 12, over.
0:00:33 > 0:00:34INDISTINCT
0:00:35 > 0:00:38It's very difficult to police the Channel.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41To board every vessel is an impossible task.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44It's a place where swimmers
0:00:44 > 0:00:48and Sunday sailors fight for space with cruise liners...
0:00:50 > 0:00:52..and cargo ships.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55It's like trying to get across the M25 during rush-hour.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59For some, the English Channel is their place of work.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03If my mum came out here and saw what I was doing up here,
0:01:03 > 0:01:05she would tell me to get off straightaway.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08For others it's a playground.
0:01:08 > 0:01:10Whoo-hoo!
0:01:12 > 0:01:16But for those who venture onto its unpredictable waters...
0:01:16 > 0:01:19We're just going to assist the moving of the casualty now.
0:01:19 > 0:01:23- Board control, diver lifeboat- ..it can mean life or death.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25Just drag him onto the boat!
0:01:28 > 0:01:32I hope my babies get to see this and see what Daddy does for a living.
0:01:32 > 0:01:33LAUGHTER
0:01:41 > 0:01:43Today on Channel Patrol,
0:01:43 > 0:01:47the RNLI rush to rescue a stranded teenager.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51Yeah, Mayday's usually if someone's in the water, someone's sinking, someone on fire.
0:01:51 > 0:01:53It is a proper emergency.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57A trawler fishing boat breaks down miles out to sea.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02The main engine, we've just lost the main engine.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05And the Navy's bomb disposal are called out to
0:02:05 > 0:02:07a hazard in the shipping lanes.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09A safety fuse has been lit.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12In approximately five minutes' time, there will be an explosion.
0:02:18 > 0:02:24The Channel is a 350-mile long lifeline that feeds the UK economy.
0:02:25 > 0:02:30Towering cargo ships bring 95% of everything we buy into its ports.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36But its waters have also long offered a rich source of food.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42Commercial fishing contributes over £880 million to the economy.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47But it's also one of the most dangerous jobs there is.
0:02:47 > 0:02:52Over the last ten years, more than 200 vessels have been lost at sea,
0:02:52 > 0:02:56and over 600 fishing men killed or injured.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05Trawler skipper Mike Young is on his way out of Brixham Harbour,
0:03:05 > 0:03:08into the Channel for a three-day trip on the Lady Lou.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13We're sort of targeting the prime fish, like a Dover sole,
0:03:13 > 0:03:16a lemon sole, turbot, a brill.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18Good fish, good fish you buy, expensive fish.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21In a restaurant, maybe not so much on a market.
0:03:21 > 0:03:27Hopefully, we can be catching between 20 and 40 boxes a day.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29That's our working limit.
0:03:29 > 0:03:34If we look for an average of between £3,000, £3,500 a day to catch,
0:03:34 > 0:03:37then they'll be happy enough, that's our sort of working limit.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41The Channel is vast, so choosing where to fish is the most
0:03:41 > 0:03:43important decision the skipper makes.
0:03:43 > 0:03:45Get it wrong and you might not catch enough to cover
0:03:45 > 0:03:48- the cost of the trip. - I've made a choice.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52We're going to kind of shoot in a little patch of ground which
0:03:52 > 0:03:56I was fishing in last year this time. And it produced good fish.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58There's a crew of four of us on here, all grown men,
0:03:58 > 0:04:00all got mortgages, families, kids.
0:04:00 > 0:04:05We have to catch fish and make money.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08Because if we don't fish, we don't get paid. If we don't fish, we don't eat.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10But before they've even put their nets out,
0:04:10 > 0:04:14Mike gets a call to say the Lady Lou is about to be boarded.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17- RADIO: - Your attention. It's a routine.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20An official team will come over to you to conduct a quick document
0:04:20 > 0:04:22and a quick gear inspection. Over.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26All right. Yeah, no worries, no worries.
0:04:26 > 0:04:31HMS Severn is part of the Navy's fishery protection squad.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34Decades of overfishing have resulted in strict regulations,
0:04:34 > 0:04:38governing the quantity of fish caught and the equipment used.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41The Severn's crew regularly patrols the Channel
0:04:41 > 0:04:44- to check the rules are being followed.- Big Brother's watching.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47There's not a lot you can do without knowing.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50Mike hasn't caught any fish yet for them to inspect,
0:04:50 > 0:04:53but they need to make sure his fishing gear meets regulations.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59INDISTINCT
0:05:03 > 0:05:07Detailed measurements are taken on each of Lady Lou's nets to
0:05:07 > 0:05:10check the holes aren't too small to let younger fish through,
0:05:10 > 0:05:12and the mesh is the right width.
0:05:12 > 0:05:1315 length.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18- 79.- 79.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24If the Lady Lou's gear doesn't meet regulations,
0:05:24 > 0:05:26- she could be sent straight back to harbour.- 82.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30We're just here basically to help conserve the fish stocks,
0:05:30 > 0:05:32and make sure it's a sustainable fishing industry so you continue to
0:05:32 > 0:05:35see fish on the shelves in supermarkets
0:05:35 > 0:05:38and the fish and chip shops.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40- 78.- 78.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43- Average, 85.1.- Ideal.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47You can get boarded twice a month, once a month, whenever.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49They are just doing their job,
0:05:49 > 0:05:53but from my point of view now, we're an hour behind now.
0:05:53 > 0:05:54Maybe two hours.
0:05:56 > 0:05:57We're on a limit, on a schedule.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00We've got to get this gear in the water and catch some fish.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04So the first one better be a good one.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13With daylight running out, Mike can finally get his nets in the water.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16Like many of the boats fishing in this area, the Lady Lou is
0:06:16 > 0:06:18a beam trawler.
0:06:18 > 0:06:22It's two beams, which are towed off the booms, the side of the boat.
0:06:22 > 0:06:26They're dragged behind us for anything for an hour.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29They're dragged on the sea bed. They sort of tickle the fish.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32So the fish come out, the chain goes over the fish, the fish stick
0:06:32 > 0:06:36their head up, and then we go over them, and hopefully they end up in our nets.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38To boost his earnings, Mike's hoping to find a seasonal
0:06:38 > 0:06:43visitor to these waters which isn't restricted by fishing quotas.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46This time of year now, the cuttlefish come into the English Channel,
0:06:46 > 0:06:50and hopefully these next few days, we're going to try and catch some of them.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55As night draws in, the nets are winched up.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59This is the first tow of this little trip, and we'll see what drops out.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01Hopefully it'll be worth our while, we can stay put
0:07:01 > 0:07:05and have the rest of the night in this area.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07We'll find out now.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20Yeah, that's a nice haul. That's a nice haul.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23Actually the volume of it, a lot of the time you're better off catching
0:07:23 > 0:07:25less fish but better quality.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28I'm thinking it doesn't look too bad.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31The nets go straight back in for the next haul.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35The fish need to be sorted, gutted and put on ice
0:07:35 > 0:07:39by deckhand Kevin, before they can really judge what they've got.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08Under EU regulations,
0:08:08 > 0:08:11fish below a set size have to be returned to the Channel.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24How's that one looking, Kevin?
0:08:24 > 0:08:263st of sole.
0:08:27 > 0:08:31Five are flat, no brills. That's it.
0:08:31 > 0:08:36OK, well, there we go. The first haul, nothing like what I was expecting.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39A lot of fish, but a lot of wrong fish.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42The majority of the fish we threw back for being small.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49It's not the start he was hoping for.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51We've still got a plan, we're still sticking to a plan.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54We are going south, into deeper water where we I'll try
0:08:54 > 0:08:57and target the cuttlefish. We'll come across them.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01We have faith. We will come across them.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04That's me for the day, I've done my hauls now. I'm ready for my bed.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06I'm sure tomorrow will be a better day.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12Boats like the Lady Lou will spend days, sometimes weeks,
0:09:12 > 0:09:15far out at sea.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18If bad weather strikes, they can find themselves battling up
0:09:18 > 0:09:21to 80 foot waves, far from land.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26The winter time can be horrendous.
0:09:26 > 0:09:31You can be rolling six degrees, and it's bad, it's bad.
0:09:31 > 0:09:35It gets to a stage in the winter where you have to weigh up what you are catching.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37Crew safety always comes first.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40Being at sea, you have to have such a respect for it.
0:09:41 > 0:09:46It can be your best friend, earn you a living. And it can also wreck you.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48The worse thing to happen is to lose a man over the side.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51That is a fisherman's worst nightmare.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55Let's see what today brings.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58The first haul for me for the day, so I cross my fingers
0:09:58 > 0:10:03and hope we've managed to nail down the elusive cuttle.
0:10:03 > 0:10:07If we can stay on a box of cuttlefish haul, plus our little bit of fish, we'll be
0:10:07 > 0:10:09all right. We'll be on to a winner.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12It's the moment of truth as the nets are winched in.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17Is there one or two cuttlefish going?
0:10:17 > 0:10:19There's a little bit, not much.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22Kevin, I can see a nice big turbot there, look.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25- You don't need many chips with them. - Yeah, lovely.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31Mike's really hoping for a good haul of cuttlefish.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34That's what you want. Cuttlefish. Bag those.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39How many cuttlefish was there?
0:10:39 > 0:10:42- Ah, three...- Just over 3st?- Yeah.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44All right, mate, little improvement, isn't it?
0:10:44 > 0:10:48Although all of Mike's catch will be sold at the harbour market,
0:10:48 > 0:10:51it's likely these cuttlefish will end up abroad.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54I do believe it's brought in Brixham, processed
0:10:54 > 0:10:56and then it's shipped off to Spain.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59So if next time you're in Madrid on your holidays or something,
0:10:59 > 0:11:01you can look for a cuttlefish caught in Brixham.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03There you go, that's all number two done.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05A vast improvement.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08The cuttlefish, the turbots and the brills, it's
0:11:08 > 0:11:11all fish we're not quoted on. And the lemon sole.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14It's not a great quantity of it, but the quality is fantastic.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17It all looks good on the fish market, you know?
0:11:17 > 0:11:18That's what the buyers will look at.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21Nice, big, shiny fish with bright eyes. But we're happy.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23We'll be quite happy to stay here...
0:11:24 > 0:11:27..and see what the next few hauls bring.
0:11:28 > 0:11:29Mike's picked a good spot,
0:11:29 > 0:11:34but it looks like another fisherman's got wind of it.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36There's my friend, Andy, there.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40He's probably seen us going around and he's probably come for a little look.
0:11:40 > 0:11:41When it comes to fishing,
0:11:41 > 0:11:45having the latest technology isn't always a good thing.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47When the fishing's good, the way things are now,
0:11:47 > 0:11:50everybody knows where you are. You can't really hide.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53So if you do get more than one or two boats going around the same
0:11:53 > 0:11:56area for more than a couple of hours, other boats will see that
0:11:56 > 0:11:59and maybe go and have a look, you know?
0:11:59 > 0:12:02We've found this little patch now, so we'd like to keep this to ourselves.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05Yeah, get off our land. Get off out of it.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07HE LAUGHS
0:12:07 > 0:12:10Another boat fishing in the area could seriously affect Mike's
0:12:10 > 0:12:14catch, and if more turn up it could be game over.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17Come across some good fishing, then I'm liable to keep it to
0:12:17 > 0:12:19myself for a couple to three days.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21You struggle to find it and
0:12:21 > 0:12:23when you do, you don't want to let other people know.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27Mike's only option at this stage is to keep fishing this patch
0:12:27 > 0:12:29and hope no more boats try. to muscle in.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36Such a complex body of water as the Channel needs many different
0:12:36 > 0:12:38agencies to keep it safe.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42Bad weather and busy traffic are the most common hazards
0:12:42 > 0:12:46faced by fishermen...and the many other craft who use it.
0:12:46 > 0:12:51But there are other, hidden dangers lurking beneath its waters.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54Two world wars have left the sea bed littered with
0:12:54 > 0:12:57thousands of unexploded bombs and mines.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01And the agency tasked with retrieving
0:13:01 > 0:13:06and safely disposing of them is the Royal Navy's Fleet Diving Squadron.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08Right, morning, gents.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11Our tasking today is to clear the obstruction which is
0:13:11 > 0:13:13just off Stokes Bay.
0:13:13 > 0:13:17Today, they're going to be using explosives to clear a hazard in the Solent.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22Chief Petty Officer Simon Crew briefs his team.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25So, beware of all shipping movements out there, and we'll conduct that with
0:13:25 > 0:13:28the Solent coastguard...and QHM,
0:13:28 > 0:13:31to make sure we're all clear.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34One of three elite units, the Southern Diving Group is made
0:13:34 > 0:13:36up of 60 clearance divers and specialists.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41They cover a 1,400-mile stretch of coast from Hull, through
0:13:41 > 0:13:44the Channel, and round the west of Britain to Liverpool.
0:13:44 > 0:13:49It's a busy patch and they're called out to over 200 incidents a year.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53Today, this is a planned operation,
0:13:53 > 0:13:55because we've known the obstruction's been there.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57We've been waiting for the correct tidal cycles.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02The jobs we get are very varied, and it could be from going out to
0:14:02 > 0:14:05assist a dredging boat or a fishing boat,
0:14:05 > 0:14:08to a possible anti-defence invasion mine,
0:14:08 > 0:14:11that's been uncovered due to some adverse weather.
0:14:11 > 0:14:16Over the two world wars, the UK laid 250,000 sea mines within
0:14:16 > 0:14:19the Thames Estuary, North Sea, alone.
0:14:19 > 0:14:23Historic records suggest that 190,000 are still on the bottom
0:14:23 > 0:14:27of our sea bed, being washed up or recovered by seamen,
0:14:27 > 0:14:30so bombs are technically very old,
0:14:30 > 0:14:33still highly dangerous and make them still quite volatile.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38Before they can set out on their mission, the team needs to
0:14:38 > 0:14:39prepare their kit.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43What we are doing now is we're going to test the safety fuse to see
0:14:43 > 0:14:44if it is burning right.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48Then we'll cut off five minutes' worth of the safety fuse.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52By checking how quickly it burns,
0:14:52 > 0:14:55they can calculate how much fuse wire they will need.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59The divers will have to light the fuses just above the explosion
0:14:59 > 0:15:03site, so it's vital they have enough time to get clear.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11What we are after today is five minutes' delay,
0:15:11 > 0:15:15so once we light that fuse we know we have five minutes to the initiation.
0:15:17 > 0:15:1939.5.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22Once it's in place and the safety fuse is attached to
0:15:22 > 0:15:26a detonator, which is attached to the plastic explosives
0:15:26 > 0:15:30we'll use for the demolition, it is imperative we get it right the first time.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34The team has been called to remove two large posts.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36The remnants of an old pier,
0:15:36 > 0:15:40which are sticking up from the sea bed and catching fishermen's nets.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44The strong tide here makes cutting them away underwater too difficult.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47So the diving squadron is going to blow them up.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55But the Solent is a particularly busy part of the Channel.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57Not the ideal place to carry out an explosion.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03Simon needs to coordinate with the coastguard to set up a safety
0:16:03 > 0:16:06exclusion zone around the site.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09For your information we are going to commence diving
0:16:09 > 0:16:12operations in accordance, without our local notice to mariners. Over.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15- RADIO: - Roger, many thanks.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18The plan is for divers Jeremy Osborne and Joshua Spivey to
0:16:18 > 0:16:23carry out a recce of the pillars, before any explosives are set.
0:16:23 > 0:16:28The obstruction is approximately 100m to the east of us.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32We deploy from here in the dive boat and the rib.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34Depth here is about 11m of water.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37We're on a lowering tide as well. OK. Remember what we're looking for.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41two 6m-high posts and about
0:16:41 > 0:16:431m apart from each other.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47Remembering at the bottom, safety. There's some fishing nets, etc.
0:16:47 > 0:16:48Keep away from those.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51Imperative we want to find out it's that make-up of it
0:16:51 > 0:16:55because we believe it is part wood, part concrete. OK?
0:16:55 > 0:16:58Simon needs to confirm exactly what the pillars are made of,
0:16:58 > 0:17:03- so he can decide how much charge to settle.- Oz, have a good recce around it.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06Yeah. Wood or concrete.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12The aim is to use the lowest amount possible, as more explosives
0:17:12 > 0:17:15means a bigger safety cordon around the area.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17For the explosive we are going to use on this
0:17:17 > 0:17:23we need a safe distance of 350m all the way around the area...
0:17:23 > 0:17:26where we are going to do this controlled demolition.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29Diving operations are usually planned around the slack tide,
0:17:29 > 0:17:32the short period between changing tides
0:17:32 > 0:17:34where divers aren't pulled by the current.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37But in the Solent, due to a double high tide,
0:17:37 > 0:17:40the slack water period is shorter than normal,
0:17:40 > 0:17:45giving the team just a 40-minute window to set up all their explosives.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48- All right.- Yeah.- What is it? Concrete?
0:17:50 > 0:17:53- Do we reckon you'll have any issues attaching all that?- No.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56What we want to do now is go back, secure onto it, up and down,
0:17:56 > 0:17:59nice and taut, and get the rib alongside.
0:18:06 > 0:18:11Working with explosives underwater in very limited visibility
0:18:11 > 0:18:14is a highly skilled and potentially lethal job.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20It's dark, it's cold
0:18:20 > 0:18:24and the sea bed is littered with shopping trolleys, etc.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27A lot of it will be by touch and feel
0:18:27 > 0:18:29and it can be pretty miserable at times.
0:18:36 > 0:18:38The team first needs to attach a line
0:18:38 > 0:18:45to keep the boat anchored to the pillars.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49MUFFLED EXCLAMATION
0:18:49 > 0:18:52Four sets of explosives will be placed strategically
0:18:52 > 0:18:54to take out the pillars in one hit.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57That's sat on the sea bed like that.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59There's two of these.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01They've dived down on the first dive
0:19:01 > 0:19:04to about two metres, a metre and a half off the bottom,
0:19:04 > 0:19:07and connected an explosive charge here on the side
0:19:07 > 0:19:11and they've dived down again and connected the second
0:19:11 > 0:19:15explosive charge on this side, about two metres from the top of it.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17And then when we initiate it,
0:19:17 > 0:19:20the expected explosives force will push that way at the bottom
0:19:20 > 0:19:24and the top will push that way, therefore collapsing it.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35All right, lads.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37With the lifeline attached,
0:19:37 > 0:19:41the first set of explosives are ready to be sent down to the divers.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48Both divers ready? OK. Leave the surface.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59They are diving as a pair
0:19:59 > 0:20:02so they're physically joined by a length of rope.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06In the tide here at Solent, even in this state now,
0:20:06 > 0:20:11they will physically have to hold on to a degree,
0:20:11 > 0:20:14probably with one arm, and then be working as a pair
0:20:14 > 0:20:18with their free arm, trying to attach the explosive to the obstruction.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21MUFFLED SPEECH
0:20:25 > 0:20:30In total, the team will be setting 45kg of plastic military explosives,
0:20:30 > 0:20:33enough to blow up a double-decker bus.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48Right. Is that the first one attached, is it? Yeah?
0:20:48 > 0:20:51The tide's turned already, hasn't it?
0:20:51 > 0:20:55Slack water out here is literally never totally slack, slack.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58That's the Solent tide for you.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02There are still three more sets to place
0:21:02 > 0:21:05and they're rapidly running out of time.
0:21:05 > 0:21:10Cos it starts building up again now and we've got 30 minutes to do it.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12- Can I leave the surface?- Leave.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17The Fleet Diving Squadron is just one of the many
0:21:17 > 0:21:20organisations at the disposal of the Marine Coastguard Agency.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26Say again, where are you again? Sat at the rotunda at where, sorry?
0:21:26 > 0:21:29We have the coastguard rescue officers,
0:21:29 > 0:21:31Royal National Lifeboat Institute
0:21:31 > 0:21:34and four helicopters to assist us in search and rescue.
0:21:34 > 0:21:39For those using the water there are three grades of distress call,
0:21:39 > 0:21:42with Mayday being the most serious.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44Depending on the type of emergency and the location,
0:21:44 > 0:21:47the coastguard will then decide who to send.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51Today a Mayday call is coming from a vessel just outside
0:21:51 > 0:21:54Newhaven Harbour and the lifeboat has been scrambled.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00- Radio: Do you copy this, mate? - Yeah, we have copied.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04Mayday could be someone in the water, someone on fire,
0:22:04 > 0:22:07someone sinking. It's classed as a proper emergency.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12The Newhaven lifeboat is one of 346 operating
0:22:12 > 0:22:15from stations throughout the UK and Ireland.
0:22:18 > 0:22:23Founded in 1824, the RNLI has saved over 140,000 people
0:22:23 > 0:22:26at a cost of more than 800 lives lost in service.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28The crew are actually brilliant
0:22:28 > 0:22:31when you bear in mind that they are volunteers.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33They come from all walks of life.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36The Mayday call has come from a yacht which is stranded
0:22:36 > 0:22:39directly in the shipping channel at the entrance to the port.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43His rudder is jammed.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46He's quite close to the rocks so we need to get on the way.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50We've received a Mayday.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52The yacht's rudder has snapped
0:22:52 > 0:22:55and the sailor on board has lost steerage.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57Can you confirm where he is?
0:22:57 > 0:23:01- Yeah, we believe it's the furthest yacht away from us now.- OK, mate.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05We'll nudge our bow in and have a chat with him.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09Mayday is a distress signal used when loss of life could be imminent.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11Paul can see there's no immediate threat
0:23:11 > 0:23:14but also notices that the sailor is only a teenager.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17All the panic in putting a Mayday out,
0:23:17 > 0:23:19it probably shouldn't have been a Mayday to be honest.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22But the guy is obviously panicking, as you can see,
0:23:22 > 0:23:24sitting in the centre of the Channel in Newhaven
0:23:24 > 0:23:26and just wants a tow in.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34I'll put the bow in and just have a chat with him.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37- And then we'll get a line on him. - No problem.- All right.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40I mean, you get these people coming down for the weekend
0:23:40 > 0:23:42in the summer, going out on their boats.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46There is no licence, apart from fishermen
0:23:46 > 0:23:48and commercial people on the sea.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52Anyone can get a boat, take it out and not know the correct procedures
0:23:52 > 0:23:56in putting in a distress call out or even using the radio properly.
0:23:59 > 0:24:03- Hi there. Can you hear me? - Yeah. I'm new to this.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07- Did you put the Mayday out?- Yeah. - Yeah? Roger that, Paul.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10Despite the potential dangers of being out on the water,
0:24:10 > 0:24:13under current UK law, boating for pleasure around the coast
0:24:13 > 0:24:17or out to sea is open to all and doesn't require a licence.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20What's the problem? Is your rudder broken?
0:24:20 > 0:24:23- It's snapped in half and I've got no steering.- You've got no steerage?
0:24:23 > 0:24:26- No.- OK. Is your anchor down at all, or...- No, I'm drifting.
0:24:26 > 0:24:30- You're just drifting. OK. Standby there.- All right.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32The lifeboat crew needs to get this stricken sailor
0:24:32 > 0:24:34out of the shipping lane.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39- What we're going to do is get a line to you.- Right.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42Get that lying around your bow, the front,
0:24:42 > 0:24:44then we'll take you on the tow.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46Are you all right going up onto the bow?
0:24:46 > 0:24:49But the teenager is shaken
0:24:49 > 0:24:52and is reluctant to go to the bow of his dinghy to tie on the tow rope.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54- Are you there, Mike? RADIO:- Yeah, go ahead.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57Just to let you know, he's not happy being on his own
0:24:57 > 0:24:59and he wants someone else on with him.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02But getting the lifeboat alongside such a small vessel
0:25:02 > 0:25:05creates a challenge for Paul.
0:25:05 > 0:25:09We've got 44 tonnes of boat here and there's not an awful lot of sea
0:25:09 > 0:25:12but obviously, we don't want to cause any damage.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28OK.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45With the towing line attached, the lifeboat crew can bring
0:25:45 > 0:25:49the vessel safely back into Newhaven port.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51Just want to call him, make sure he's all right.
0:25:51 > 0:25:55But it turns out the dinghy's radio has stopped working
0:25:55 > 0:25:58and the distress call was made just in the nick of time.
0:26:02 > 0:26:04- RADIO:- They're going to stay put until you turn up.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06- Until they turn up. - Yeah, affirmative.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12Safely in the harbour, Paul lands the vessel in the marina
0:26:12 > 0:26:15and calls the Coastguard to take over.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19The Coastguard, being a government-run service,
0:26:19 > 0:26:22they will have a chat with him to educate this young man
0:26:22 > 0:26:25about his radio procedure and putting a Mayday out
0:26:25 > 0:26:27and what channel to put it out on.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30We can point out but we've got no right to do that.
0:26:30 > 0:26:32We just go out and bring people in.
0:26:32 > 0:26:37The Coastguard will have a chat with him and put him right.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41He was a young lad and he was, I guess,
0:26:41 > 0:26:44a bit embarrassed at having to call the lifeboat out.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46First time he'd ever done that.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49And he was very, very grateful for the help.
0:26:49 > 0:26:53I think he was a bit scared and didn't know quite what to do.
0:26:53 > 0:26:57He was a little bit flustered so he appreciated the help.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59And he's safe now.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08The Channel plays host to everyone from young,
0:27:08 > 0:27:12inexperienced seafarers to seasoned sea dogs.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15And while its waters offer some the opportunity for fun
0:27:15 > 0:27:20and adventure, for many others, it's the source of their livelihood.
0:27:23 > 0:27:27Further out to sea in deeper waters, trawler skipper Mike Young
0:27:27 > 0:27:29is midway through a three-day trip
0:27:29 > 0:27:32to catch the first of the season's cuttlefish.
0:27:32 > 0:27:36Yesterday's catch was disappointing and Mike lost precious time
0:27:36 > 0:27:39when he was boarded by the Navy's Fishery Squadron.
0:27:39 > 0:27:41Plus, another boat has moved onto his patch.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46He desperately needs today's haul to be good.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52- Feeling lucky, Kevin. - I think there'll be a wedge.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55First impressions are it looks OK on the cuttle.
0:27:58 > 0:28:02As the day goes to night, Mike and Kevin are continually lowering
0:28:02 > 0:28:06- and hauling up the nets. - We'll see what this one brings us.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10Here it comes. Here's our gear now.
0:28:10 > 0:28:13I'm hoping there'll be a few cuttles here.
0:28:19 > 0:28:23- A couple of turbot and a few brills. - Turbots and brills.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26If we're shy on cuttle, you know, if we are not finding the cuttle...
0:28:26 > 0:28:28I'm not 100%-sure of it
0:28:28 > 0:28:32cos it's still only mid-October and we are a month early.
0:28:32 > 0:28:34The other trawler we saw today, he stayed around here.
0:28:34 > 0:28:36Andy, old friend of mine,
0:28:36 > 0:28:39we'll have a yap tonight and see what he's got to say.
0:28:39 > 0:28:41Tell each other a few lies, I should imagine!
0:28:41 > 0:28:45With fishing over for the day, Mike radios the other skipper.
0:28:45 > 0:28:49Cockburn and Lady Lou. Hello, Andy. Good evening.
0:28:52 > 0:28:54Yeah, it's been an OK kind of day, mate.
0:29:01 > 0:29:05- But anyway, who cares? - Aye-aye, Skipper! Yeah.
0:29:05 > 0:29:08It seems neither skipper is giving much away.
0:29:08 > 0:29:10All right then, Andy. OK. I wish you all the best.
0:29:10 > 0:29:14You have a good night. I'll speak to you soon. Ta-ta.
0:29:14 > 0:29:17He seems happy enough with what he's done.
0:29:17 > 0:29:20A lot of competition, I suppose, amongst skippers, you know.
0:29:20 > 0:29:22It's always better to come out on top.
0:29:22 > 0:29:25You know, it's good to be on top. You don't want to be the underdog.
0:29:31 > 0:29:36This is 36 hours have just gone by on this bit of the trip
0:29:36 > 0:29:38so we're off down to the fish room
0:29:38 > 0:29:41to have a quick look at what we've got and have a little count up.
0:29:43 > 0:29:47Everything here is all looking great. Everything...it's all nice and cold.
0:29:47 > 0:29:49Everything's perfectly iced.
0:29:49 > 0:29:53In the corner here, next to the monk, it's the elusive Dover soles.
0:29:54 > 0:29:58Once that's filleted, skinned, that's the perfect size for the plate.
0:29:59 > 0:30:03You see, that's our biggest quota restriction is the Dover sole.
0:30:05 > 0:30:07We stringently police ourselves more than anything
0:30:07 > 0:30:09on what we can catch of them.
0:30:09 > 0:30:12Like you see, we haven't got many of those at all.
0:30:12 > 0:30:14We've nearly got a dozen boxes of cuttle.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17My mind now is telling me this could be a good season, you know?
0:30:17 > 0:30:21They're coming early and they're a decent size already.
0:30:21 > 0:30:23We get a few more of them, we'll be OK.
0:30:23 > 0:30:26I'm pretty sure we'll stay put where we've been
0:30:26 > 0:30:30and just try and top up what we've got of the nice, prime fish
0:30:30 > 0:30:33and maybe a few more boxes of cuttle.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36It's all going the skipper's way and even better -
0:30:36 > 0:30:39after their radio conversation last night,
0:30:39 > 0:30:41his rival has decided to head back to shore.
0:30:41 > 0:30:43Yeah, Andy, the skipper who was just over, he's gone in.
0:30:43 > 0:30:45He went in this morning at five o'clock.
0:30:45 > 0:30:48He's done his full trip and his time is up now
0:30:48 > 0:30:50so what fish he's left here maybe we will catch.
0:30:54 > 0:31:00But just when it looks like the gods of fishing are on Mike's side...
0:31:00 > 0:31:02The main engine. We've just lost the main engine.
0:31:04 > 0:31:07I'm hoping we can fix it.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11- Right.- Going down, are you?- Yeah.
0:31:22 > 0:31:24That there.
0:31:36 > 0:31:38I've just been down to look.
0:31:38 > 0:31:42I can see oil, oil at the side of the engine so I don't know yet.
0:31:42 > 0:31:44I think it might be home time.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47Lady Lou is 26 miles from Brixham.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55An hour later, they still haven't managed to fix the engine.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58If it's badly damaged, it could cost thousands of pounds to repair.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01When you are at sea, you're not close to anything
0:32:01 > 0:32:03and you have to know how to fix things at sea.
0:32:03 > 0:32:06You know, that, it's not good.
0:32:06 > 0:32:08Very unexpected. Very unexpected.
0:32:08 > 0:32:12Mike thinks he's discovered the cause of their sudden bad fortune.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15As luck would have it, when we got the gear back,
0:32:15 > 0:32:18we did unfortunately see a dead gannet fall into the pound,
0:32:18 > 0:32:21which I believe is always bad luck.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24If you believe in that sort of thing, there you are, there is your proof.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27One dead gannet equals one broke engine.
0:32:27 > 0:32:31Despite all their efforts, they can't get the engine going again.
0:32:31 > 0:32:35Mike has no other option but to call a fellow fishing boat for help.
0:32:35 > 0:32:37Yeah, give this one, mate.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40INDISTINCT RADIO
0:32:40 > 0:32:42We've got a bit of a dilemma here, bud.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47We've broken down. Our fuel pump has failed.
0:32:47 > 0:32:51Our current position is four-nine degrees,
0:32:51 > 0:32:55five-nine decimal one-seven North.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57All right mate, yeah.
0:32:57 > 0:32:59Our gear is on board and we're heading towards you.
0:32:59 > 0:33:03- We'll be there in about an hour and three quarters.- Yeah.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06Much appreciated. I'll see you shortly, OK.
0:33:07 > 0:33:12So much for my lucky T-shirt! Erm, yeah.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14I maybe might throw this one away now, after this.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17After a few hours' wait, help arrives.
0:33:17 > 0:33:21He's come alongside us now so we'll get the crew ready
0:33:21 > 0:33:23and get connected up to him.
0:33:27 > 0:33:30With the towing rope connected, both boats can start the long,
0:33:30 > 0:33:32slow journey back to Brixham.
0:33:32 > 0:33:34Just off 14 hours.
0:33:34 > 0:33:38It's eerie running through the water without hearing the engine running,
0:33:38 > 0:33:40which I can't quite get my head around yet.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43This boat has been fishing in the area for two days
0:33:43 > 0:33:47but is cutting its trip short to tow the Lady Lou back in.
0:33:47 > 0:33:49Who would be a fisherman?
0:33:49 > 0:33:52It's an awfully close-knit community.
0:33:52 > 0:33:54If it had been him broken down,
0:33:54 > 0:33:58I wouldn't have hesitated to board my gear and go and give Carl a tow.
0:33:58 > 0:34:02He's lost eight hours but there'll be a pint in it for him, you know?
0:34:02 > 0:34:06And if he ever needs a favour, I'll be first to step up.
0:34:06 > 0:34:10But first they face a six-hour journey back to shore.
0:34:10 > 0:34:14As the light fades, all Mike can do is be a passenger on his own boat.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16Doesn't look very good being towed into the harbour, does it?
0:34:16 > 0:34:18You know, you always want to get in there yourself.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21He can only hope that the boat can be quickly fixed
0:34:21 > 0:34:24as every hour it spends in port is fishing time lost.
0:34:24 > 0:34:28We'll have it fixed. We'll be back to fight on next week.
0:34:28 > 0:34:32That's the way it is. You've just got to roll with it.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34Keep catching fish.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37Start pulling up the stern rope, John, can you?
0:34:37 > 0:34:39It's always nice to be home.
0:34:39 > 0:34:43Unfortunately not under the best circumstances, but...
0:34:43 > 0:34:46We're here. We're all here and smiling.
0:34:46 > 0:34:49It's midnight but the crew need to quickly get their catch
0:34:49 > 0:34:52off the boat and into the market.
0:34:52 > 0:34:56Mike's lost a day of fishing but their early return has given them
0:34:56 > 0:35:01an unexpected advantage - their catch is still incredibly fresh.
0:35:01 > 0:35:05Bearing in mind our fish is only two days old. Still nearly alive.
0:35:06 > 0:35:11What it all comes down to now is off me boat and out of my hands now.
0:35:13 > 0:35:18The fish will be auctioned at dawn in a warehouse on the quayside.
0:35:19 > 0:35:21It's all done, it's in there now.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24Getting sorted and hopefully after an hour's time,
0:35:24 > 0:35:27it'll be bought for a reasonable price to make it all worthwhile.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30It'll pay for our fuel and our standing charge etc
0:35:30 > 0:35:34and hopefully the lads get a half decent wage for it, for our troubles.
0:35:35 > 0:35:37350 a tub!
0:35:37 > 0:35:39Three pounds by price. Ones or twos.
0:35:39 > 0:35:44The buyers are looking for top quality fish at a knock-down price.
0:35:44 > 0:35:45£8, number one!
0:35:45 > 0:35:48£8, £8.10. £8.10?
0:35:48 > 0:35:51Now the large... 80, 90?
0:35:51 > 0:35:5311 boxes on the Lady Lou.
0:35:53 > 0:35:5544, 45.
0:35:55 > 0:35:5645, 46.
0:35:56 > 0:35:58245.
0:35:58 > 0:36:02Piece on the Lady Lou, at 245, 28 kilos.
0:36:02 > 0:36:07Mike's targeting of premium fish and cuttle has paid off.
0:36:07 > 0:36:11The catch made a total of £5,700.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14After costs, Mike and the crew have earned about £100 a day each
0:36:14 > 0:36:16for the trip.
0:36:16 > 0:36:18As a fisherman, that's what we do,
0:36:18 > 0:36:21when you're at sea you feel it is where you should be.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24They say a lot of respect for the sea, it gives us our living,
0:36:24 > 0:36:27we've got to give it a little bit back, we've got to respect it,
0:36:27 > 0:36:29it'll be back with a vengeance.
0:36:34 > 0:36:38The Channel offers the chance to earn a living for those brave
0:36:38 > 0:36:39enough to risk its hazards.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42And the dangers don't just lie at the surface.
0:36:42 > 0:36:46Thousands of unexploded bombs and other obstructions are
0:36:46 > 0:36:50gradually being revealed by storms, fishermen's nets and dredging.
0:36:50 > 0:36:54And it's the Royal Navy's Fleet Diving Squadron who are called out
0:36:54 > 0:36:58to dispose of sea mines and hazardous structures underwater.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02Out in the Solent, a team from the Southern Diving Group is
0:37:02 > 0:37:05getting ready to blow up the remnants of an old pier
0:37:05 > 0:37:08that has been causing a hazard to boats in the area.
0:37:08 > 0:37:11The divers still have three more charges to place
0:37:11 > 0:37:15but their time is rapidly running out as the tide is about to turn.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19- OVER RADIO:- A controlled explosion will take place...
0:37:19 > 0:37:21CHATTERING
0:37:23 > 0:37:26When the explosives are detonated, it is vital
0:37:26 > 0:37:29to keep any craft well away from the blast site.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33The coastguard are broadcasting details of the operation
0:37:33 > 0:37:35on channel 16,
0:37:35 > 0:37:39the international marine channel, to alert all shipping in the area.
0:37:43 > 0:37:47Chief Petty Officer Simon Crew, who is leading the dive, also needs
0:37:47 > 0:37:51to keep a watchful eye on the many lines going down to the dive site.
0:37:52 > 0:37:57It's key now and imperative that the detonating cord that leads down
0:37:57 > 0:37:59to each cord doesn't get entangled or twisted,
0:37:59 > 0:38:03which could lead to the wave of detonation maybe cutting off
0:38:03 > 0:38:07the det cord prior to it getting to the explosives,
0:38:07 > 0:38:08it's got a tight turn.
0:38:08 > 0:38:13And also the hazards of the divers getting entangled with the detonating
0:38:13 > 0:38:16cord and also the light line, which is the line attached to the diver.
0:38:16 > 0:38:17At the same time.
0:38:17 > 0:38:22And finally, when we detach, we initiate our fuses, I want to make
0:38:22 > 0:38:26sure that the boats pull clear and don't get entangled around the lines.
0:38:26 > 0:38:28- Ready?- Ready when you are.- Good.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30One more charge to go.
0:38:30 > 0:38:33But they are almost out of time before the tide will make it
0:38:33 > 0:38:34impossible.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38- OK, leave surface.- Left.
0:38:43 > 0:38:49When the divers come up, they get into the boat, attach the final joins
0:38:49 > 0:38:53together, so we lead it all into one what we call cradle
0:38:53 > 0:38:57of the det cord, so we can fit our detonators to that.
0:38:59 > 0:39:02When working with explosives, it's...
0:39:02 > 0:39:06The more dangerous part of it really on that last bit,
0:39:06 > 0:39:08so on that we'll get in the RIB,
0:39:08 > 0:39:12and just drop back to our safety exclusion zone of 350 metres.
0:39:20 > 0:39:24- Right, 16 minutes.- Stand by.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36Right, come on then.
0:39:37 > 0:39:39The last charge is in place
0:39:39 > 0:39:42and with it comes the most dangerous part of the operation.
0:39:42 > 0:39:45The divers must attach detonators to the charges.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48The most sensitive part of the explosive chain.
0:39:48 > 0:39:52Once the fuses are lit, they will have five minutes to get clear
0:39:52 > 0:39:56before 45kg of high-grade military explosive goes off.
0:39:59 > 0:40:02But just as the detonators are being set by the divers,
0:40:02 > 0:40:06the team is alerted to a breach in the safety cordon.
0:40:06 > 0:40:07Do you want them to turn?
0:40:11 > 0:40:16Two sailing dinghies have wandered into the 350-metre exclusion zone.
0:40:16 > 0:40:19The safety boat needs to get them out of the way fast.
0:40:19 > 0:40:21Excuse me!
0:40:21 > 0:40:24Can I ask you both to head due east, please?
0:40:24 > 0:40:27We are about to carry out an underwater explosion.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30Right now you are in the safety zone.
0:40:30 > 0:40:32We need to ask you to turn round and head the other way, please.
0:40:32 > 0:40:34- That way there?- Yes, please.
0:40:36 > 0:40:39Although the Coastguard has been broadcasting a security notice
0:40:39 > 0:40:42for the last hour, these small dinghies aren't
0:40:42 > 0:40:45equipped with radios and are blissfully unaware
0:40:45 > 0:40:49that a large underwater explosion is about to take place beneath them.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52Most people are helpful. And...
0:40:55 > 0:40:58But you do get the occasional awkward person.
0:40:59 > 0:41:03With the dinghies now out of harm's way, the safety boat
0:41:03 > 0:41:06can give the divers the all-clear to light the fuse.
0:41:24 > 0:41:26So, the safety fuse has been lit,
0:41:26 > 0:41:31in approximately five minutes' time...
0:41:31 > 0:41:32there'll be an explosion.
0:42:02 > 0:42:07INDISTINCT RADIO TRANSMISSION
0:42:13 > 0:42:17Jeremy and Joshua have one final dive to make to check that
0:42:17 > 0:42:21all the explosives have gone off and that the pillars are gone for good.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26It went down, smashed to bits.
0:42:28 > 0:42:31The explosive device has worked perfectly,
0:42:31 > 0:42:35as we intended it to, and it's now lying flat on the sea bed,
0:42:35 > 0:42:37and it will no longer be a hazard to shipping.
0:42:37 > 0:42:40Our window of opportunity was up to five o'clock this evening
0:42:40 > 0:42:43and the initiation took place at one minute to five,
0:42:43 > 0:42:45so, yes, happy, good day's work.
0:42:51 > 0:42:55With this part of the Channel now clear of the obstruction,
0:42:55 > 0:42:57Simon's team can head back to base.
0:42:58 > 0:43:02But with a never-ending stream of traffic using these waters,
0:43:02 > 0:43:08the team has to be on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
0:43:08 > 0:43:09One of the many dedicated
0:43:09 > 0:43:14and skilled agencies tasked with keeping our national waterway safe.