Although the cold and darkness of winter is now well and truly upon us, the Coastguard Operations Room at Milford Haven does not hibernate and is open for business 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for all your queries on anything maritime.

Said Angie Smith, district public relations officer: "It appears that since the 'industrial action' of the summer, the public still thinks that we are not approachable.

"We are the staff who manned this station throughout the problems and are eager to get all sea-farers and coastal users back into the terrific liaison we had prior to the 'summer of discontent'.

"Tell us if you are planning a passage, we will log your departure and estimated time of arrival from port to port, how many people are on board, your safety equipment and details of your vessel.

"Register your vessel with us (the coastguard 66 scheme is free), then we will have all your details, vessel description, sails and sail numbers., safety equipment, including radio communications, and your usual place of use; also your own details and who to inform in case of problems.

"Ask us for the local inshore forecasts, or if going further afield, the shipping forecast. We can give you up-to-the-minute information of passing weather, wind direction and speed from local weather buoys."

The operations room has equipment to forecast tides, both high and low, for the whole of the British Isles on a yearly basis, so you can plan your trips for the coming summer now.

In addition, information regarding the military ranges along the coast can be gathered from a call to the operations room, the firing ranges out to sea, danger areas etc., and whether footpaths on these ranges are open or closed.

Continued Angie: "If you own or operate an activity centre and are into any sea or coastal activities, please let us know - where, when, what you are doing and how many are doing it. Should anything happen, we then know how best to deal with the incident immediately. For this information, we have a fax (01646 697287) which comes straight into the operations room.

"All the staff in the operations room want to hear from you, you can even 'come on down' for a visit and, operational commitments allowing, we will give you a guided tour of the room and its sophisticated equipment, all installed to make assisting you efficient, effective and professional.

"Our telephone number is 01646 690909. Go on, ring it, you know it makes sense."