Previous Work
The Northman (2020)
Back to working with Daren Bailey. We were engaged to present another safety case to the MCA, which would allow the use of two replica Viking longships for filming offshore of Ballycastle, Northern Ireland. We produced the safety case and carried out a joint inspection with the MCA to agree all the necessary safety checks and precautions were taken.
These included undertaking a Bollard Pull Calculation, and a seawater exposure check to determine the appropriate safety clothing for the rowers as well as the weather limits, passage plan, safety boats, rescue diver, communication and control, shore support and emergency response, personal protective equipment, contingency capability, safety controls and to conduct a safety briefing for the personnel.
The King (2019)
We were brought in by JJ Stickland to overcome objections from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency for use of the sailing ship ‘Matthew’ in open water.
We surveyed the vessel and put in place the safety case and method statement to allow filming to take place in the Bristol Channel. An exemption certificate was issued to allow filming to take place successfully.
Dunkirk (2017)
Brought in by Ian Creed when the Dutch Authorities would not allow the ‘MV Castor’ to leave Dutch Waters due to significant safety concerns. After considerable effort in both the UK and Holland, the last-minute approvals were withheld by the Dutch Authorities (which had previously agreed to our safety arguments).
We found an alternative vessel and identified a loophole in the regulations which allowed the vessel to cross the Channel to Portland for filming.
Hampstead (2017)
Called in by Jonjo Stickland (JJ) of Marine Department Ltd, when concerns were raised about the stability of the barge ‘Puchanillo’ that was used for filming the final sequence of the film.
We carried out an inclining experiment and identified as the barge was arranged, it was not safe to use the vessel (likely it would have turned over in the water). We supervised the changes to the vessel to increase the stability and put safety procedures in place for the vessel’s operation.
The Mercy (2017)
Called in by Daren Bailey to prepare a safety case report advising on the necessary safety equivalence for filming a sequence of shots in Teignmouth in the sea using open boats with the actors Colin Firth and Rachel Weisz.
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015)
Another production working with Daren Bailey. Who had four German patrol boats and three Fletcher Arrow speed boats that had to be converted to look like Vietnam gunboats and Riva speedboats.
We surveyed all the vessels and made recommendations for the necessary changes so that they could be used as required for the filming. We gave advice on how to break down the storyboard into discrete pieces with the relevant safety measures (off-camera) for each part of the sequence.
With the changes made, we gained approval from the MCA on an equivalence basis, together with the risk assessment and method statement for all film sequences.
The Monuments Men (2014)
Called in by Daren Bailey to assess a World War 2 Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVP) that the production had chartered. Realising that the current regulations would never be reached due to the age of the vessel, we implemented a range of alternative safety measures and presented our case to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) for exemption from these regulations.
All safety equivalents were accepted, and filming went ahead to schedule.
Robin Hood (2010)
Called in by Daren Bailey of Aqua Films Ltd to source a suitable craft to be converted into a beach landing craft for operation in surf conditions.
We surveyed and identified a LASH barge for use. We directed the alteration of the craft to install a ramp and a hidden outboard motor.
A necessary safety system was installed, and an inclining experiment was carried out to confirm stability and compliance with regulations.
On location for filming at Freshwater West, Pembrokeshire, we carried out further safety inspections with the MCA and presented all the necessary safety documentation to allow the vessel to be used during filming.
Pirate Radio (2009) - The Boat That Rocked
Brought in by Ronaldo Vasconcellos when the ship chartered for filming was detained by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) for multiple breaches of the safety regulations.
We successfully negotiated the boat’s release once an agreement had been reached on amendments that needed to be made. We spent two weeks rectifying the breaches and arranging mitigating measures that were unable to be solved in a short time frame. We developed and presented a full written safety management system, which allowed the boat to sail to the required port for filming.