0:00:02 > 0:00:05Stretching from Land's End to Dover,
0:00:05 > 0:00:08this is the busiest seaway in the world.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14And come hell or high water...
0:00:14 > 0:00:17Three, two, one. Firing!
0:00:17 > 0:00:20No amount of training can ever prepare you for what
0:00:20 > 0:00:21we faced that night.
0:00:21 > 0:00:25..it's open for business 365 days a year.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28Over 90% of the world's trade travels by sea.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31It's not just TVs and refrigerators, it's everything around us.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34Teeming with every type of vessel...
0:00:34 > 0:00:36Everyone on board reckons their job is the hardest.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38..and a rich diversity of wildlife.
0:00:44 > 0:00:48It's kept safe by those who patrol its seaways.
0:00:48 > 0:00:49Just throw your line to the boat!
0:00:49 > 0:00:51Their actions standing between triumph...
0:00:51 > 0:00:53ALL: Whoo!
0:00:53 > 0:00:55..and disaster...
0:00:55 > 0:00:56Ease off! Ease off!
0:00:56 > 0:00:59..on the unpredictable waters of the English Channel.
0:01:05 > 0:01:09Today, a maintenance crew have to inch their way through
0:01:09 > 0:01:11a seaway obstacle course.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14The nature of our job is to go into areas
0:01:14 > 0:01:17where other shipping shouldn't go, because it's too dangerous.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20So we go in, we mark the dangers, and then we come back out again.
0:01:22 > 0:01:26A group of university students get a taste of Navy life.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31ALL: Oh!
0:01:31 > 0:01:35- You're not supposed to have this. - LAUGHTER
0:01:35 > 0:01:38And a team of builders take on a challenging restoration,
0:01:38 > 0:01:40two miles out at sea.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44Easy. Easy!
0:01:44 > 0:01:45It's going off the edge.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54The Channel is a vast, maritime highway,
0:01:54 > 0:01:57with up to 500 vessels on the water at any time...
0:01:59 > 0:02:01from pleasure boats to supertankers -
0:02:01 > 0:02:04it's a vital waterway for the British economy.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07Lighthouses and navigation buoys
0:02:07 > 0:02:09help keep vessels from running aground.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12The job of maintaining these crucial towers of light on land
0:02:12 > 0:02:17and sea has fallen to an organisation called Trinity House.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21It was set up over 500 years ago by Henry VIII.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23One of their flagships is the Galatea,
0:02:23 > 0:02:27specifically built to look after today's lighthouses and buoys.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31Whatever the weather, the ship is out making the seas safe.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34Primarily, Galatea is designed to be a buoy tender,
0:02:34 > 0:02:36and lighthouse tender. She's got a big crane on the back
0:02:36 > 0:02:38for lifting buoys out the water,
0:02:38 > 0:02:40she's got chain holds for pulling the buoy chain into.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43She's got a helicopter pad for working lighthouses.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48The work we do in the English Channel is very important
0:02:48 > 0:02:51because it's one of the most busy shipping lanes in the world.
0:02:52 > 0:02:54Today, there's an urgent callout,
0:02:54 > 0:02:56and they head up the east coast from the Channel.
0:02:56 > 0:02:57Everyone ready to go?
0:02:57 > 0:03:00A light on one of the buoys isn't working,
0:03:00 > 0:03:03and it's marking the entranceway to the Thames Estuary,
0:03:03 > 0:03:05one of the busiest shipping lanes in the area.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09The potential for disaster is huge,
0:03:09 > 0:03:12so the crew urgently needs to repair it.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14Like the cat's-eyes in a road,
0:03:14 > 0:03:16marker buoys are designed to be visible day and night
0:03:16 > 0:03:17to keep shipping safe.
0:03:17 > 0:03:22The team head straight out to the stricken buoy, known as a casualty.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24First one we're going to look at
0:03:24 > 0:03:26is the casualty, the Fisherman 3.
0:03:26 > 0:03:27So, it gives you all the basic
0:03:27 > 0:03:29information about the buoy -
0:03:29 > 0:03:32the light, the characteristic, the chain, the length.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35And then I'll go down onto the deck and will brief all the crew,
0:03:35 > 0:03:37and then we'll crack on with the job.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41As the crew get suited and booted, they have no idea what's wrong
0:03:41 > 0:03:44with the buoy they'll be pulling up onto the deck.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46It's reported that it's unlit.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48This type of buoy,
0:03:48 > 0:03:52we know they tend to have a common fault.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55They can get a bit of water inside, and it just shorts the electrics,
0:03:55 > 0:03:58and burns out the regulator.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02So, that then runs the batteries down and it goes unlit.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06The consequences of us not maintaining the aids to navigation
0:04:06 > 0:04:09would involve more shipping casualties.
0:04:09 > 0:04:15Most of the UK's goods, if you like, come in by sea -
0:04:15 > 0:04:18oil and all the stuff on the supermarket shelves.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20If a major port got blocked, for example,
0:04:20 > 0:04:23the shelves would run out of food within a few days.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30The captain's second-in-command is Sophie Platten.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33She's been at sea for 13 years,
0:04:33 > 0:04:35and began her career as a cadet on container ships.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41I'm in charge of the daily running of the ship,
0:04:41 > 0:04:45including the maintenance. In charge of the buoy-working deck.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47Supporting the captain when required
0:04:47 > 0:04:51and ensuring that, you know, everything runs smoothly.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55Copy that, that's the anchor aweigh.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57Something that I wanted to do since I was quite young.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00Always fancied, you know, a job with a difference.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03I think...this job definitely is that, you know.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05I do enjoy that every day is different,
0:05:05 > 0:05:07and that you can progress, you know,
0:05:07 > 0:05:10keep working up through the ranks, as well.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17You're up on the Galatea, good morning, that's us...
0:05:17 > 0:05:20The Galatea's reached the casualty buoy.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23Approaching the casualty now, I'm just manoeuvring the ship.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25I'm going to turn the ship around in the tide.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28The batteries could've failed, the lantern could've failed...
0:05:28 > 0:05:30It's clearly not been hit, now we can see it.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32We're going to pick it up and do some tests on it
0:05:32 > 0:05:34and find out what's wrong with it.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37While the captain keeps the Galatea alongside the buoy,
0:05:37 > 0:05:40Sophie's in charge of the operation on deck.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43So, guys, we have we've come here to Fisherman 3,
0:05:43 > 0:05:45casualty buoy, been reported unlit.
0:05:45 > 0:05:50So we'll bring it in. It's got 25 metres of 32mm chain.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54Three metre bridle, and a three tonne sinker.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56Just do our standard work, disconnect it,
0:05:56 > 0:05:58and work out why it's unlit.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01Right? Let's get this job done.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07The buoy is hoisted alongside.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11It's a bit awkward, isn't it?
0:06:11 > 0:06:14The team need to work quickly to find the problem.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17Every minute it's out of the water is a hazard for shipping.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25The Fisherman 3 is green,
0:06:25 > 0:06:28because it marks the left side of a shipping lane.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34We need to secure it to the working chain, so that way
0:06:34 > 0:06:38when we break the buoy, we'll be able to heave all the cable up.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42Any part of the buoy below the surface
0:06:42 > 0:06:44makes a good breeding ground for mussels.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51So, we've disconnected the buoy from the cable, and
0:06:51 > 0:06:55now we're going to heave the rest of the cable in and pick the sinker up.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58We're going to calibrate the cable as we bring it in.
0:06:58 > 0:07:02We're checking the thickness of the chain.
0:07:02 > 0:07:03Pins out.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06The sinker is a three tonne metal weight
0:07:06 > 0:07:10that sits on the seabed to keep the buoy in place.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13It's connected to the buoy by a chain, but it's
0:07:13 > 0:07:17so heavy they need to take precautions in case the chain snaps.
0:07:17 > 0:07:18If the chain were to run off at all,
0:07:18 > 0:07:21it's going to come all the way across the deck here.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24Could take people's feet out, break legs, anything.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26It's a fair jump, isn't it?
0:07:31 > 0:07:35The chain can wear out if any slack drags along the seabed.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37They need to make sure it's still thick enough to hold
0:07:37 > 0:07:41the buoy in place. So they check its width, known as the "thrash".
0:07:43 > 0:07:45Got a thrash of 28½.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48- RADIO:- '28½, and it's gone down...
0:07:48 > 0:07:54'1½ in one year and four months.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56- 'So, I think it'll be fine, won't it?'- Yep.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00It looks like it'll last another year.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02We've just calibrated the chain.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06It's got a thrash that we're happy with, it's within our limits,
0:08:06 > 0:08:07so we're going to keep it.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10But it's just slipping on our gypsy, so were going to bring
0:08:10 > 0:08:13a second working chain up, just to help us heave it up.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24Just be careful there, Ellis.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29With the extra chain attached...
0:08:29 > 0:08:31Just get it the other side, Wes, that's it.
0:08:31 > 0:08:32..they have enough grip
0:08:32 > 0:08:35for the winch to pull the three-tonne sinker on board.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43While they wait for the sinker to arrive,
0:08:43 > 0:08:46the team try to work out why the buoy's not lighting up.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49Have you got the solar tester there?
0:08:49 > 0:08:52Bo's'n Ryan's not impressed.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54Those batteries don't look great, do they?
0:08:54 > 0:08:56They've not been greased or anything, have they?
0:08:56 > 0:08:58- There's no Vaseline on them at all, or anything like that.- No.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00So we'll have a good tidy up.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02Cos the regulator's burnt-out,
0:09:02 > 0:09:03there's no input from the solar panel,
0:09:03 > 0:09:06so the batteries aren't being charged at all.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09When the light's running, it's just constantly draining the battery,
0:09:09 > 0:09:12so it's eventually going to run the batteries out.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18While they replace the batteries and service the buoy,
0:09:18 > 0:09:20the sinker finally emerges from the water.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25It looks like a giant bath plug.
0:09:32 > 0:09:33On closer inspection,
0:09:33 > 0:09:36the bottom of the chain is really worn where it's been dragging
0:09:36 > 0:09:41against the rocks on the seabed, and they decide to take no chances.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44It's now gone under the limits that we think is acceptable,
0:09:44 > 0:09:46so we're going to change it out for a new chain.
0:09:46 > 0:09:51This will eat up vital minutes, so they need to get a move on.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53The new chain comes in 100 metre lengths,
0:09:53 > 0:09:55so they have to cut to size.
0:09:57 > 0:10:01And there's more work than they thought to be done on the buoy.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05Just checking the voltage of the batteries.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08They've only got about three volts on them,
0:10:08 > 0:10:11so these are both dead, well and truly.
0:10:11 > 0:10:12Just strip it right out,
0:10:12 > 0:10:14we'll try and get rid of the old regulator
0:10:14 > 0:10:16as well, if we can get that off.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18Once we've got the new batteries in, we can see
0:10:18 > 0:10:21- whether this regulator's working. - Exactly. Yeah, cool.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25It's not just the batteries that are gone.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28We've got a problem with one of the solar panels,
0:10:28 > 0:10:30so we're in the process of changing that over.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33Once that's been changed, were going to connect it all up.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36We'll be testing the light and, er, it should be good.
0:10:36 > 0:10:40The buoy's in need of a complete overhaul.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43With another job on the horizon, they need to get finished fast.
0:10:43 > 0:10:47With new batteries and a new solar panel, the light is back in action.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49Yep, all happy.
0:10:50 > 0:10:51With the final checks in place,
0:10:51 > 0:10:54it's time to get the buoy back in the water.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08Chain's clear.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13Yep, it's all done, all working correctly.
0:11:20 > 0:11:21Mission accomplished.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24But there's no rest for the team as they're already
0:11:24 > 0:11:26on their way to the next buoy.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28And it looks tricky.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36The English Channel has a long history
0:11:36 > 0:11:40in the defence of Britain against invasion.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43British forces still patrol this important border,
0:11:43 > 0:11:48keeping warships in operation to be deployed at a moment's notice,
0:11:48 > 0:11:51regulating fishing vessels and aiding border control
0:11:51 > 0:11:53intercepting narcotics and contraband.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55Thrust to port, step three.
0:11:55 > 0:11:59But every hardened mariner has to start the journey somewhere.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02The Navy train recruits from as young as 16 years of age.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09And today, a group of eager university students
0:12:09 > 0:12:11are getting a taste of Navy life.
0:12:11 > 0:12:15I'm considering joining the Royal Navy as a hydrographic officer.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18This is a great way to find out what the Navy does when it's at sea.
0:12:18 > 0:12:20It's a great way to find out
0:12:20 > 0:12:22what you're signing yourself up to.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25Ready fender for'ards!
0:12:25 > 0:12:28The potential recruits are taking part in a simulated
0:12:28 > 0:12:31counternarcotics and people smuggling exercise.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34It's a task the Navy takes on for real
0:12:34 > 0:12:36while on active duty round the world.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39My team had a success on a vessel
0:12:39 > 0:12:43smuggling heroin, and it was the first time heroin
0:12:43 > 0:12:44was ever found in the maritime
0:12:44 > 0:12:46domain, in the Indian Ocean.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49And now vessels are out in the Indian Ocean,
0:12:49 > 0:12:53from all over the world, are finding these smuggled drugs.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55We have very strict procedures we need to carry out,
0:12:55 > 0:12:58and it's very important we stick within the legal
0:12:58 > 0:13:01guidelines of the United Nations, and our own rules of engagement.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04Lieutenant Palmer is hoping today's challenge will give the students
0:13:04 > 0:13:08an insight into the skills they might need if they join up.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11I've based this scenario on operations that we carry out
0:13:11 > 0:13:12day-to-day in the Navy,
0:13:12 > 0:13:15that ships are out, currently conducting these operations.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18It's developing their interpersonal skills,
0:13:18 > 0:13:21and focusing on their teamwork and leadership.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23It's exposing them to things
0:13:23 > 0:13:27they probably wouldn't get to do in normal life.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30SHIP ALARM BEEPS
0:13:30 > 0:13:32OK, let's go ahead.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35A lot of the time the students will struggle with
0:13:35 > 0:13:40the military aspect of being on the boat and the unit.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43It's quite a tough transition to go from being a student
0:13:43 > 0:13:46to actually trying to be in the military.
0:13:48 > 0:13:52We've started commencing the Solent Storm exercise now.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56There are 64 students across two patrol ships -
0:13:56 > 0:14:01HMS Smiter and HMS Puncher - a supporting RIB and seven yachts.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03Each of which have been positioned out in the Solent
0:14:03 > 0:14:05by the Navy commanders.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08The exercise is to police the waters,
0:14:08 > 0:14:11and locate and identify any suspicious yachts that may be
0:14:11 > 0:14:15conducting illegal activity, such as smuggling drugs or people.
0:14:15 > 0:14:20The students will be observed by 12 Navy training officers.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23Up top, where the captain is, they will be looking out to make sure
0:14:23 > 0:14:27that they know where the vessel is, and manoeuvring safely towards it.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29Whereas these are here to support
0:14:29 > 0:14:31and provide extra information to the command team.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34Because these are like an extra set of eyes.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36So, we have the charts down here,
0:14:36 > 0:14:39the radar, and the ship's log.
0:14:39 > 0:14:43So the job here is to provide support to upstairs.
0:14:43 > 0:14:47I'd like to go to 3110...
0:14:47 > 0:14:50We've found one of the yachts with the other set of students on.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54And we've identified it as one of the...
0:14:54 > 0:14:57We've got an intelligence picture of one of these yachts,
0:14:57 > 0:15:00and we've identified that this is one of the yachts were looking for.
0:15:00 > 0:15:06Just tell him we have a yacht on our port beam, we're going to ask
0:15:06 > 0:15:10some questions, can you head over and take a look at them for us?
0:15:10 > 0:15:14Amongst today's young trainees, and in charge of communication
0:15:14 > 0:15:16on this first yacht search,
0:15:16 > 0:15:19is 21-year-old chemistry student Jessie Tucker.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22Jessie must instruct the support RIB.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24We have a yacht on our port bow...
0:15:24 > 0:15:26- Beam.- ..beam.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29It is of interest, and we're going to investigate further.
0:15:31 > 0:15:32Over.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34I joined the unit just to do something
0:15:34 > 0:15:36a little bit different, to be honest.
0:15:36 > 0:15:37It's nice to get away from
0:15:37 > 0:15:40the day-to-day life of lectures
0:15:40 > 0:15:43and working in the labs, in my case, or the library.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46This is Coalition Warship papa 272, over.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49- RADIO:- 'Coalition Warship, we receive you.'
0:15:49 > 0:15:51Now in radio contact with the yacht,
0:15:51 > 0:15:56Jessie cross-examines the seafarers to see if anything doesn't add up.
0:15:56 > 0:15:57What is the name of your vessel, over?
0:15:57 > 0:16:00'The vessel's name is Jet Hannessa.'
0:16:00 > 0:16:03What is the registered flag state of your vessel, over?
0:16:03 > 0:16:05'Spanish.'
0:16:05 > 0:16:07How many crew are on board, over?
0:16:07 > 0:16:09'Erm, three - no, four. Four.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12- 'Oh, sorry, five.' - SHE LAUGHS
0:16:12 > 0:16:14It's up to you now to make that decision
0:16:14 > 0:16:16of what you think about this yacht.
0:16:16 > 0:16:17Can you confirm that there are
0:16:17 > 0:16:20three to five passengers on the vessel?
0:16:20 > 0:16:23- Confirm the number of passengers... - Yes, that's a very helpful question.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25Under the United Nations Law of the Sea,
0:16:25 > 0:16:29a warship can verify the flag of any vessel on the high seas.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32- ..Over?- 'Flag flying currently is British, over.'
0:16:32 > 0:16:35Things that indicate to us that something's not right
0:16:35 > 0:16:38and we need to go and investigate that, OK?
0:16:38 > 0:16:41So, what is our tripwire here?
0:16:41 > 0:16:45Our tripwire is that they've stated to us that they're
0:16:45 > 0:16:47- flying the Spanish national flag. - Yep.
0:16:47 > 0:16:48However, we've got a confirmed
0:16:48 > 0:16:52- sighting from our RIB that they're actually find the British flag.- Yep.
0:16:52 > 0:16:57Therefore, we can board the vessel to check their documents.
0:16:57 > 0:17:01Yeah, and the other thing is, their crew numbers are a bit dodgy,
0:17:01 > 0:17:02aren't they?
0:17:02 > 0:17:06So we know from United Nations Security Council Resolution 1279
0:17:06 > 0:17:09that there is people smuggling, drug smuggling
0:17:09 > 0:17:14and piracy in this area. So there are two tripwires there.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17Now, the best way of doing this, to not get them so anxious,
0:17:17 > 0:17:19is to go for the flag state verification.
0:17:19 > 0:17:21Then we can have a further look around
0:17:21 > 0:17:23if we think there's something suspicious.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27Sir, I intend to conduct a routine boarding of your vessel under
0:17:27 > 0:17:31United Nations section on the Law of the Sea, Article 110 in order to
0:17:31 > 0:17:34verify the flag state of your yacht.
0:17:34 > 0:17:38Please turn into wind and reduce your speed to a minimum.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41Do not make any external communications with anyone
0:17:41 > 0:17:42other than this warship.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45Do not throw anything overboard during this process.
0:17:45 > 0:17:49I'm sending my boarding team via RIB. Over.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51'OK, we've received you, over.'
0:17:51 > 0:17:52Now he's caught,
0:17:52 > 0:17:54I'd say they're making the boarding now, which is fine.
0:17:54 > 0:17:59They'll have to check the documents of the yacht, check that the flag
0:17:59 > 0:18:04state refers to what they told us when we've VHF radio called them.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06They'll also then have to go through the compartments
0:18:06 > 0:18:11and have a good search around, once they're given authorisation,
0:18:11 > 0:18:17see if they can find any narcotics or any other contraband.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21Below deck, the navigational team must plot the exact coordinates
0:18:21 > 0:18:24of the suspect yacht for Navy records.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28- I want this marking on the chart, with the time and the position.- OK.
0:18:28 > 0:18:32- 5-0...- 5-46.927.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34What we're doing here,
0:18:34 > 0:18:38is we're noting down in the ship's log where we are, a grid reference...
0:18:38 > 0:18:41- Happy on radar.- OK.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44Great. So that we know where we were.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47We've noted down the name of the yacht, and the fact that the RIB has
0:18:47 > 0:18:50boarded it, and the time, so that it's there for records later.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55The RIB team have checked the vessel for any illegal activity,
0:18:55 > 0:18:57and they were right to be suspicious.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00Stand by to conduct cargo transfer.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02Stand by.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05The unit have discovered a suspect package.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08The handover is complete,
0:19:08 > 0:19:11and Jessie's first patrol mission is a success.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14Puncher, Smiter, all copy, the whole visual.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17Jessie's done really well this morning with her radio call.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20And by the end of it was very confident.
0:19:20 > 0:19:24I'm really, really impressed by that performance there.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27After a fruitful operation, the patrol ship
0:19:27 > 0:19:30and its Navy students continue the search exercise
0:19:30 > 0:19:33across the Solent for more illegal activity.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35Would you hold your course, then we'll come round?
0:19:35 > 0:19:36Check quarters!
0:19:42 > 0:19:46The English Channel may now be an accessible route for all
0:19:46 > 0:19:51seafarers, but was once a natural defence halting invading armies.
0:19:51 > 0:19:55In the middle of the Solent stand four Victorian sea forts.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57Built in the late 1800s to protect
0:19:57 > 0:20:01Portsmouth from attack by Napoleon III's forces,
0:20:01 > 0:20:03they're now being put to a more welcoming use.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08One of the largest, No Man's Fort, is nearing the end
0:20:08 > 0:20:12of a two-year refurbishment to turn it into a luxury offshore hotel.
0:20:13 > 0:20:18And in just a week's time, it's due to open for business.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20The man at the helm of this unique challenge
0:20:20 > 0:20:23is project manager Ian Fitzpatrick.
0:20:23 > 0:20:24I am up against it,
0:20:24 > 0:20:26I've got till next Friday to get everything completed,
0:20:26 > 0:20:28so a busy few days. All the lads are aware of it.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31We know what we've got to do, we've just got to get on and do it.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33Getting everything complete, everything signed off,
0:20:33 > 0:20:35everything commissioned,
0:20:35 > 0:20:36and everything certificated.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39Hopefully, this time next week, we'll be just about there -
0:20:39 > 0:20:40finishing touches.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43But this is not your average building site.
0:20:43 > 0:20:49No Man's Fort originally cost £460,000 to build back in the 1870s.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53Decommissioned by the Navy in the 1960s, restoring this
0:20:53 > 0:20:57Grade II listed property is a multimillion pound operation.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00The 35-strong team has been
0:21:00 > 0:21:03working round the clock on the refurbishment,
0:21:03 > 0:21:06which will include 22 bedrooms, a cabaret bar, sauna,
0:21:06 > 0:21:10two helipads and its very own lighthouse.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12When I applied to be a fire alarm engineer, I thought
0:21:12 > 0:21:15I'd be out on land all the time. Being out at sea
0:21:15 > 0:21:17is a bit new to me. It's not like the normal commute,
0:21:17 > 0:21:19normally doing jobs in and around London.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21Whereas this is all preplanned,
0:21:21 > 0:21:24you've got to meet someone at the port
0:21:24 > 0:21:26and then get onto the boat to get here.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29It's a 30 minute daily boat ride.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33Two miles out at sea, these maritime monuments were tactically
0:21:33 > 0:21:36positioned so that any enemy vessels wishing to attack would be
0:21:36 > 0:21:41forced to sail between the forts, and be bombarded by heavy cannons.
0:21:41 > 0:21:45But times have changed, and today's battle is to arm the fort
0:21:45 > 0:21:48with two heavy-duty bits of kit.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50We've got two hot tubs coming,
0:21:50 > 0:21:53and we're going to put them up onto the rooftop.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55The hot tubs are going to turn up on a barge.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57As they approach the landing stage,
0:21:57 > 0:22:00we'll strap them up,
0:22:00 > 0:22:04lift them off with our hoist onto the first ground level, then
0:22:04 > 0:22:07from there, they get lifted onto our gantry, and go onto the rooftop.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09Using the crane in these conditions is fine,
0:22:09 > 0:22:11when the sea's like this it's not a problem at all.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14Soon as you get a bit of a swell on the water, or we have the big
0:22:14 > 0:22:18freightliners go past - you need to see them in the distance.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20If you see the freightliner coming, the barge'll pull off,
0:22:20 > 0:22:24and you get lots of aborted trips. Lots of aborted deliveries.
0:22:24 > 0:22:29Man-days lost due to bad weather and stormy seas.
0:22:29 > 0:22:30The weather can change within hours.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33I can go from a flat, calm sea like I've got today,
0:22:33 > 0:22:38to a force six, which basically takes our boat off the water.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41The unpredictability of the weather is not the only problem
0:22:41 > 0:22:42the team face.
0:22:42 > 0:22:46This sea-based citadel has its own set of issues
0:22:46 > 0:22:48in getting materials on and off site.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50It's not just a simple...
0:22:50 > 0:22:52On a normal building site, you get something delivered easy.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54On here, if it's got to come to the roof,
0:22:54 > 0:22:55it has to be hand pulled up.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58I mean, we've only had this a couple of weeks now.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00Everything else has been brought up here by hand.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03- It's made life a bit easier, this crane.- A bit easier.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06A simple delivery would take a couple of days to do, wouldn't it?
0:23:06 > 0:23:09It's a joint effort. I'd say the hot tubs will be harder cos...
0:23:09 > 0:23:12- They're bigger and a more awkward shape. Aren't they?- Yeah.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15We haven't decided how we're going to get them up here.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18They're going to come out this way, it's just getting them
0:23:18 > 0:23:20over the edge of this banister, really.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22Can't carry them up a spiral staircase,
0:23:22 > 0:23:25so you've got to come all the way up and we've got to try
0:23:25 > 0:23:29and slide them along over here without damaging the side of them.
0:23:29 > 0:23:34Renovating a 150-year-old structure is hard at the best of times
0:23:34 > 0:23:37but doing it in the middle of the ocean holds unique challenges.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40The eight-tonne blocks of concrete
0:23:40 > 0:23:44and stone that help to form its 27ft foundations were
0:23:44 > 0:23:47brought out by barge and eased into position by divers.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52Rising 18 metres above sea level, the steep,
0:23:52 > 0:23:57circular walls are 15ft thick and reinforced with iron plating.
0:23:57 > 0:23:58Ideal for repelling invaders
0:23:58 > 0:24:02but not for bringing on bulky building materials.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06The Fort's location is also proving a challenge for operations manager,
0:24:06 > 0:24:10Rob Seddon, whose job includes overseeing the interiors.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12Just having to work out the position.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14They're bringing the RIB out as well.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17I need a couple of more hands tomorrow, we're going to try
0:24:17 > 0:24:18and get some more staff in to help us,
0:24:18 > 0:24:21some more labourers, electricians, whoever we need.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24I'm just going to wander around now, check some of the bedrooms.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26The biggest thing for us is logistics and deliveries.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29I got a phone call today saying all the dressings for the day beds
0:24:29 > 0:24:31should be here Tuesday, Wednesday.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34If it's going to be Tuesday, it'll be Wednesday, OK?
0:24:34 > 0:24:37When they arrive, we need to get the logistics so it gets onto the boat.
0:24:37 > 0:24:39When it gets off the boat, I make sure it's put into the rooms.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42Gets put into the rooms, I make sure the beds get dressed.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44So, if it arrives on Wednesday and we open on Saturday,
0:24:44 > 0:24:46everything gets really angsty.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49Hot tubs came out today, fantastic. All the railway sleepers here.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51It's just a matter of getting everything onto the roof
0:24:51 > 0:24:52and getting it all put in place.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55But organising the finishing touches
0:24:55 > 0:24:57isn't the only job on Rob's daily agenda.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59Cos of the size of the Fort and the amount of people
0:24:59 > 0:25:02we have on here, we've got to run boats to and from every day.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05In the evening, we work out how many staff we have going off,
0:25:05 > 0:25:07so we have to work out how many boats we have to run,
0:25:07 > 0:25:10so we either do one boat, two boats, three boats when it's really busy.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13Then we have to plan the timing as well cos the boat driver
0:25:13 > 0:25:15can't drive after dark.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20General manager, Mark Watts, is explaining to the Fort's new
0:25:20 > 0:25:23manager, Jason Ward, how it will run when the resort opens.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28- Oh, wow.- Impressive, eh?
0:25:29 > 0:25:33So you can have up to 60 people around this whole lighthouse area,
0:25:33 > 0:25:37up and down it, so we want to be serving canapes out here
0:25:37 > 0:25:39and making sure it's all dressed properly.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41You've got a bar just behind me, here.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45- This is the main atrium, here.- Good.
0:25:45 > 0:25:49These lamps, we have brought across, they are authentic
0:25:49 > 0:25:52but we're going to put one on the roof, here, next week, if we can.
0:25:52 > 0:25:56This helipad, here, I'm converting to be able to do golf from here.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58- Wonderful.- You've got biodegradable
0:25:58 > 0:26:01fish food golf balls and they'll be...
0:26:01 > 0:26:03You can drive them off into the sea, there.
0:26:04 > 0:26:08- This brings us into the cabaret bar, here.- OK.- Excellent.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11We'll have the parties here, with up to 200 people in here.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13I've got some work to do in here, then.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17With only a few days left before No Man's Fort is due to be
0:26:17 > 0:26:21completed, Jason is looking forward to starting work.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25- Coming out, enjoy the views. - Another great view,
0:26:25 > 0:26:26look at that.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28At this stage, you always worry
0:26:28 > 0:26:30if you're going to start on time or finish on time.
0:26:30 > 0:26:32I think we can do it. There's been work going on
0:26:32 > 0:26:34for a couple of years.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37This last bit is always the bit that worries people
0:26:37 > 0:26:39but we'll be there, we'll be open.
0:26:42 > 0:26:46The build team are preparing for the delivery of two luxury hot tubs.
0:26:46 > 0:26:47It's never that easy.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50Knowing our luck, they'll probably come flat pack.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52Don't say that, we'll have to put them together.
0:26:52 > 0:26:56Luckily, today, the seas are calm for the hot tubs' arrival
0:26:56 > 0:26:58and it's time the team got to work.
0:27:01 > 0:27:06To lift the 26st tubs onto the roof of this 60ft tall fort,
0:27:06 > 0:27:08the team will use the winch.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10The straps are safely secured
0:27:10 > 0:27:13and the first hot tub slowly rises off the barge.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17We'll get Stevie to cut it off and then bale it off.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19They're big, them.
0:27:19 > 0:27:20Despite concerns,
0:27:20 > 0:27:23the hot tub has made it to the first floor without a hitch.
0:27:27 > 0:27:29- Are you all right?- Yeah.
0:27:29 > 0:27:36Shorten these drops, lower that, and try to manoeuvre it over
0:27:36 > 0:27:37and out the way.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40But getting it on the roof using the localised crane is
0:27:40 > 0:27:42when the problems start.
0:27:49 > 0:27:53We need to bring that back into that gantry, further towards the fence.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56- Out that way.- Out that way?- Yeah.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59But the shape isn't the only concern.
0:27:59 > 0:28:03The A-frame on the roof, that holds the winch, isn't tall enough,
0:28:03 > 0:28:06which means the hot tub won't make it over the rail,
0:28:06 > 0:28:11a headache that contract supervisor, Steve Wilson, doesn't need.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14Obviously, with the area... We've got to get it up and over.
0:28:14 > 0:28:19So, yeah, it's not an easy task. No, we need to shorten these.
0:28:20 > 0:28:24The team decide to shorten the straps to raise the tub
0:28:24 > 0:28:25higher on the winch.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27It's never straightforward.
0:28:35 > 0:28:38But it's still not high enough.
0:28:38 > 0:28:40Having worked on the project for the last eight months,
0:28:40 > 0:28:43- Steve is used to the challenges. - It's a lot smaller than
0:28:43 > 0:28:45the big stuff that's bringing it off the boat.
0:28:45 > 0:28:48- You're not going to get four of them in there, are you?- No.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51First time you try it and you fail, you try again. You re-rig it,
0:28:51 > 0:28:55you look at it and you try and get it up. Nothing seems to go
0:28:55 > 0:28:58first time on here, you always have to try and adapt it to get it up.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03Because obviously, you've only got a small area to work
0:29:03 > 0:29:05and you've got the crane above you
0:29:05 > 0:29:08and you've got to get it past the crane, so, yeah, it's quite awkward.
0:29:08 > 0:29:12The build team decide to push the crane up to its maximum height.
0:29:16 > 0:29:18- 'Hello.'- Go ahead.
0:29:18 > 0:29:23- 'Bring it back down and it'll rise far enough.'- OK.
0:29:24 > 0:29:27- Stop.- Stop.
0:29:32 > 0:29:36- Lift it.- Go on, then, one more.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41INDISTINCT CHATTER
0:29:41 > 0:29:42No, move, move ,move.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45- 'Are you ready?'- Yep.
0:29:45 > 0:29:46'OK, lower it down.'
0:29:46 > 0:29:48Slowly, slowly.
0:29:52 > 0:29:56- They're not that heavy, they're just awkward.- It's going to work.
0:29:56 > 0:29:58It has to, it's the only option we've got now.
0:29:58 > 0:30:02If not, it's going to be extreme lifting.
0:30:04 > 0:30:06The hot tub has reached the distance
0:30:06 > 0:30:09but the only way to slide it over the rail is to take
0:30:09 > 0:30:13the brakes off the frame and wheel the heavy tub into position.
0:30:13 > 0:30:16It's going to be a very tricky manoeuvre.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21- Is the break off?- Yeah, the brake's off.
0:30:23 > 0:30:26- Easy, easy.- It's going off the edge.
0:30:26 > 0:30:29With a 26st hot tub hanging over the Solent,
0:30:29 > 0:30:32the last thing they want is for the frame to fall off the platform.
0:30:32 > 0:30:36Can you and Kev come and give us a hand up here for a minute, mate?
0:30:36 > 0:30:37Steve Wilson, call back.
0:30:37 > 0:30:39- That's it.- There you go.
0:30:43 > 0:30:45INDISTINCT COMMENTS
0:30:45 > 0:30:47Rob?
0:30:47 > 0:30:49Taking the brakes off.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55- Have you got it?- Yeah!
0:30:56 > 0:30:57You beauty!
0:30:57 > 0:31:00After a hair-raising five minutes,
0:31:00 > 0:31:03the hot tub is finally on the top deck.
0:31:03 > 0:31:04Yeah?
0:31:04 > 0:31:06Up.
0:31:06 > 0:31:07It's awkward.
0:31:07 > 0:31:12It's been a mammoth effort but the team has done it.
0:31:12 > 0:31:14I'm going to have to sort that out now.
0:31:14 > 0:31:1620 minutes that they've taken to be up here
0:31:16 > 0:31:17so we'll start installing them.
0:31:17 > 0:31:19Got to have them in by the end of the day.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26It's not like a normal Monday to Friday nine to five,
0:31:26 > 0:31:28we're in the lap of the gods.
0:31:29 > 0:31:30Every day is totally different.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38And when you talk to people, "What do you do for a living?"
0:31:38 > 0:31:41"I work on a fort in the middle of the ocean." It's a bit, "You what?"
0:31:41 > 0:31:44When you bring up pictures and show them, it blows people's minds.
0:31:44 > 0:31:46It really does blow people's minds.
0:31:46 > 0:31:48With just a week left before they're due to open,
0:31:48 > 0:31:51the team is just hoping the weather stays on their side.
0:32:02 > 0:32:06The fierce tides and choppy seas of the English Channel make it
0:32:06 > 0:32:09an excellent base for naval manoeuvres and exercises.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14Giving potential new recruits a taste of naval life.
0:32:16 > 0:32:20Strategically positioned Portsmouth is a hub of naval power that
0:32:20 > 0:32:22has defended the UK over centuries.
0:32:28 > 0:32:32And today, 64 university students have reported for duty.
0:32:35 > 0:32:38They're taking part in a simulated counternarcotics
0:32:38 > 0:32:43and smuggling exercise but a real emergency has come up.
0:32:43 > 0:32:45- OVER RADIO: - 'The yacht in question is now
0:32:45 > 0:32:48'one nautical mile on my starboard quarter.
0:32:48 > 0:32:50'Request assistance to transport casualty to Cowes.'
0:32:50 > 0:32:53I'll send the RIB over now, over.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00The student skipper on another boat has been injured.
0:33:02 > 0:33:07- What's broken?- Right foot. Metatarsals. That's what we believe.
0:33:07 > 0:33:09Just be careful coming onto the boat.
0:33:09 > 0:33:11- I'm going to put my foot up in the air...- Yep.
0:33:11 > 0:33:14- ..and go in towards it. - Just support it.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19It's a reminder that life at sea is unpredictable
0:33:19 > 0:33:21and potentially dangerous.
0:33:23 > 0:33:25I can't stand up because of this foot.
0:33:25 > 0:33:26OK.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29My foot got caught under a rope and it just got wedged.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32It's silly. INDISTINCT RADIO TRANSMISSION
0:33:32 > 0:33:35- Love you!- Love you lots!- See you in half an hour.- See you tomorrow!
0:33:50 > 0:33:53Good news is she's in a taxi and she's on the way to hospital.
0:33:53 > 0:33:56If all things are good, then she'll be back with us tonight.
0:33:56 > 0:33:59Maybe just a sprain, let's live in hope.
0:34:03 > 0:34:05Back on the pilot ship,
0:34:05 > 0:34:08the students are rotating their roles to broaden their experience.
0:34:10 > 0:34:12We're about to put Jessie on a RIB
0:34:12 > 0:34:16and they're going to become part of the boarding team
0:34:16 > 0:34:19and they get on the yacht, so they'll be looking for any
0:34:19 > 0:34:22suspicious packaging, any extra personnel.
0:34:22 > 0:34:25For example, for the exercise, there might be some people smuggling.
0:34:25 > 0:34:27They have to be quite careful on the RIB
0:34:27 > 0:34:30because they'll bounce around a lot in this sea.
0:34:30 > 0:34:34Also, when they get onto the yachts, lots and lots of metal
0:34:34 > 0:34:35and stuff, which are quite hazardous.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38They have to be quite careful when they're going around.
0:34:38 > 0:34:40I'll ask them what their nationalities are.
0:34:40 > 0:34:43Ask them if they're carrying anything they're not supposed to be
0:34:43 > 0:34:47carrying and then report back to HMS Puncher.
0:34:47 > 0:34:49INDISTINCT CHATTER ON BOAT
0:34:49 > 0:34:53On board the suspect yacht, the students have clear instructions.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56Yeah, we've been told to sail about in this area
0:34:56 > 0:34:59and act slightly suspiciously.
0:34:59 > 0:35:01Are you ready to be boarded?
0:35:01 > 0:35:03FROM YACHT: Are you boarding?
0:35:06 > 0:35:07Yes.
0:35:09 > 0:35:13Guys, are you ready to hop on the yacht, please?
0:35:16 > 0:35:20- Good luck finding it. If there's anything!- We don't have anything.
0:35:20 > 0:35:22Nothing to hide here.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27This may not be a real-life callout but the unit boarding
0:35:27 > 0:35:31the vessel must still be aware of the potential dangers...
0:35:31 > 0:35:34such as the suspects carrying weapons
0:35:34 > 0:35:36or the boat being booby-trapped.
0:35:37 > 0:35:41But the students aren't deterred, and the hidden goods are discovered.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46And it's rocket, just not the explosive type.
0:35:48 > 0:35:50- ALL:- Oh!
0:35:50 > 0:35:52You're not supposed to have this.
0:35:53 > 0:35:57- So, yes, I found some... - Suspicious packages.
0:35:57 > 0:36:02..suspicious packages that they're not supposed to be holding.
0:36:02 > 0:36:04So that was a successful search, I suppose.
0:36:07 > 0:36:09It's been a triumphant training day for Jessie
0:36:09 > 0:36:13and the other students. And the good news doesn't end there.
0:36:13 > 0:36:17Unfortunately, I caught a rope on my foot.
0:36:17 > 0:36:22I'm all good, no broken bones, just a bit swollen on the foot. All good.
0:36:32 > 0:36:36Keeping accidents at bay in the English Channel is crucial
0:36:36 > 0:36:38so that the ports and trade routes can remain open.
0:36:40 > 0:36:42If a port were to close,
0:36:42 > 0:36:45supermarkets would run out of food in a matter of days.
0:36:46 > 0:36:49The navigational buoys in the English Channel help mark
0:36:49 > 0:36:51the danger areas in these waters,
0:36:51 > 0:36:55ultimately keeping the country supplied with goods.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58It falls to Trinity House vessel, the Galatea,
0:36:58 > 0:37:00to maintain these aides to navigation.
0:37:08 > 0:37:11Fresh from repairing one nautical buoy, the Galatea is
0:37:11 > 0:37:16onto its next mission, a routine check in a very problematic area.
0:37:19 > 0:37:22It's a very hazardous environment to drive a ship into,
0:37:22 > 0:37:23there's lots of fixed structures.
0:37:23 > 0:37:26If anything went wrong with the ship's equipment or the engines
0:37:26 > 0:37:31failed or anything like that, we'd need to get out pretty sharpish.
0:37:31 > 0:37:33There's a lot of things we can hit in there.
0:37:33 > 0:37:37The nature of our job is to go into areas where other shipping
0:37:37 > 0:37:40shouldn't go because it's too dangerous.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43So, we go in, we mark the dangers and then we come back out again.
0:37:43 > 0:37:44That's what we're trained to do.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49But guiding 84 metres of floating steel through an aquatic
0:37:49 > 0:37:53slalom course is no time for complacency.
0:37:53 > 0:37:55Done it lots of times before, yeah.
0:37:56 > 0:38:00Still doesn't... You still can't get too confident, though.
0:38:00 > 0:38:01Just always be on your guard.
0:38:02 > 0:38:06It's fun. It's the dangerous stuff that I like doing, you know?
0:38:06 > 0:38:10And it's not just the static white power generators to be avoided.
0:38:10 > 0:38:12Can you just keep an eye, as we're moving in,
0:38:12 > 0:38:15on these wind farm boats, make sure none of them are getting close?
0:38:15 > 0:38:17Last thing I want to do is get in a situation with one of those
0:38:17 > 0:38:19while we're surrounded by turbines.
0:38:19 > 0:38:21They're even ready for an emergency stop.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24Ship on standby for boarding, thank you.
0:38:24 > 0:38:27We'll get the PO, petty officer, to stand by on the deck,
0:38:27 > 0:38:30ready to drop the anchor, just in case we lose power.
0:38:30 > 0:38:33The thing we've got to remember with that is not to drop
0:38:33 > 0:38:37it on top of one of the cables. Lots of electric cables on the seabed.
0:38:37 > 0:38:40Moving in, now, Martin. Coming ahead.
0:38:43 > 0:38:46Captain Wayne Durrant uses all his years of experience
0:38:46 > 0:38:48to reach the buoy.
0:38:48 > 0:38:49Keep a nice little bit of movement ahead
0:38:49 > 0:38:53and let the tide just push me in between the two turbines.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57So we're actually using the elements to achieve what I need,
0:38:57 > 0:39:00rather than fighting the elements to achieve what I need.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02It's a bit like driving a shopping trolley.
0:39:05 > 0:39:08But with a buoy nestled between metal pylons,
0:39:08 > 0:39:11precision's required and instruments need referring to.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18This is done on a positioning system which basically allows me
0:39:18 > 0:39:20to keep the ship in one place...
0:39:22 > 0:39:25..in basic terms, and just move in increments
0:39:25 > 0:39:28and turn the head in increments at whatever speed I like.
0:39:29 > 0:39:33I sit here and tell it what to do and I've got to monitor it but in
0:39:33 > 0:39:36all reality, the computer's actually driving the ship at the moment.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40It helps us to work in a lot rougher conditions
0:39:40 > 0:39:42because it can maintain the ship's heading, to keep
0:39:42 > 0:39:45the wind on one side while the guys are working on the other.
0:39:45 > 0:39:49That's really, really handy for us as a lighthouse service.
0:39:52 > 0:39:56The positioning system means the approach can be ultra slow.
0:39:56 > 0:39:58I'm moving in slowly to the buoy at about a knot.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03And I'm just checking all my reference systems -
0:40:03 > 0:40:04my gyros are still in line,
0:40:04 > 0:40:07wind sensors are still working and the motion sensor systems
0:40:07 > 0:40:11on the ship are still working and all tying up.
0:40:13 > 0:40:17Basically making sure nothing's going wrong. We could have a blackout.
0:40:17 > 0:40:21The generators could trip out, we could have a thruster failure,
0:40:21 > 0:40:23we could have position failure.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30With the Galatea safely alongside the buoy,
0:40:30 > 0:40:31the work on deck can begin.
0:40:31 > 0:40:33Right, let's have a look at what we've got.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35This is the Long Sand middle buoy.
0:40:35 > 0:40:39It marks an area of deep water where ships can safely pass through
0:40:39 > 0:40:40the wind farm.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43Red-coloured buoys mark the right-hand side
0:40:43 > 0:40:46of a shipping channel as you enter from open sea.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49What we've done is we've brought it on deck, calibrated the chain.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52We're just about the check the sinker but our job, here
0:40:52 > 0:40:55today, is to change the lantern over,
0:40:55 > 0:40:58so that's just what the lads are starting to do now.
0:40:58 > 0:40:59They'll disconnect the old one,
0:40:59 > 0:41:04lower that down and then we'll get the new one up to them.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07Connect it all up, check it all works.
0:41:07 > 0:41:09Back over the side, onto the next job.
0:41:14 > 0:41:18The organisation has to visit all the buoys on a regular basis
0:41:18 > 0:41:20to make sure they accurately mark hazards.
0:41:22 > 0:41:26Trinity House make sure that they're proactive rather than reactive.
0:41:26 > 0:41:29You don't want to get to a point where you've let the chain wear
0:41:29 > 0:41:30too thin and it would drift,
0:41:30 > 0:41:32cos that would be a danger to the mariner.
0:41:32 > 0:41:34We make sure that we change things ahead of time
0:41:34 > 0:41:37so they stay in position, where they should be.
0:41:38 > 0:41:41They need to check the solar power system is working
0:41:41 > 0:41:44so the flashing light will be sufficiently charged
0:41:44 > 0:41:46and seen at night and in bad weather.
0:41:47 > 0:41:51Flash character of this one is ISO two, that's every two seconds
0:41:51 > 0:41:53and basically, the flash character is just
0:41:53 > 0:41:56the pattern of the flashes that the buoy has to be programmed.
0:42:04 > 0:42:05With the new unit in place,
0:42:05 > 0:42:09it needs to be lowered down and bolted to the rest of the buoy.
0:42:17 > 0:42:19I think that's for scrap.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21For the captain, it's been a successful mission
0:42:21 > 0:42:23but there's one last thing to do.
0:42:24 > 0:42:27Wipe its backside and then put it back in and off we go.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29Yep, good to go.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33The buoy can be returned to its post,
0:42:33 > 0:42:35marking the deep water through the wind farm.
0:42:40 > 0:42:46For the team, every buoy serviced keeps the sea safe for all mariners.
0:42:46 > 0:42:47Yes, very successful job.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50Everybody did really well and, yep, got the job done and now,
0:42:50 > 0:42:51onto the next job.
0:42:56 > 0:43:01With the mission complete, the teams sit down for a well-deserved meal
0:43:01 > 0:43:03but they can't rest for long.
0:43:03 > 0:43:06They have to be on call, to maintain and mend lighthouses
0:43:06 > 0:43:09and buoys, 365 days a year.