Latest news with #SimonGranger
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Successful trial of additional Jersey-Guernsey fast ferry service
A new ferry service between Guernsey and Jersey is still on track to begin next week following successful berthing trials, officials have operator DFDS said it would trial an additional inter-island ferry service to Guernsey from 16 June, running every Monday until the end of trials of the fast ferry, the Tarifa Jet, were a success, said Guernsey's assistant harbour master Simon Committee for Economic Development signed off on the new route to add to the existing Brittany Ferries' sailings between Guernsey and Jersey every Wednesday.
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Douglas McCarthy, frontman with industrial group Nitzer Ebb, dies aged 58
Douglas McCarthy, the irrepressible frontman and chief lyricist of British industrial band Nitzer Ebb, has died aged 58. A statement on the group's social media reads: 'It is with a heavy heart that we regret to inform that Douglas McCarthy passed away this morning of June 11th, 2025. We ask everyone to please be respectful of Douglas, his wife, and family in this difficult time. We appreciate your understanding and will share more information soon.' No cause of death was given. With a style he succinctly described as 'shouting and pointing', McCarthy had an almost preacher-like quality as he sang full-throated commands and declarations, revelling in the 'body rapture' described on their song Hearts and Minds. Paired with the pulsating electronics of the group, their music became a major influence on artists such as Nine Inch Nails. Born and raised in Essex, McCarthy met future Nitzer Ebb drummer David Gooday aged 10, and formed the group with fellow friends Bon Harris and Simon Granger in 1982. With cheap synths and beats hammered out on a metal bin they dubbed 'John', the group gradually welded together their sound, releasing a demo in 1983 followed by debut single Isn't It Funny How Your Body Works two years later. Their ironically martial sound and aesthetic would be misinterpreted by some – 'the totalitarian imagery reflected the austere political time, the miners' strikes and riots,' Harris later explained – but it proved infectious on dancefloors, as tracks such as Let Your Body Learn and Warsaw Ghetto crossed over into the burgeoning worlds of techno and acid house. 'The closest I felt to God was listening to Join in the Chant,' the era's legendary DJ Andrew Weatherall once said. They attracted the attentions of major label Geffen in the US, and Nitzer Ebb released their debut album That Total Age in 1987. The band toured with Depeche Mode that year, and McCarthy worked with Depeche Mode's Alan Wilder on side project Recoil. After five albums, Nitzer Ebb split in 1995. McCarthy moved to Los Angeles, then Detroit, then returned to England where he studied design and film in Cambridge followed by a spell working in advertising. He later returned to music, collaborating with techno producer Terence Fixmer, before a Nitzer Ebb reunion in 2007. The group released another studio LP, Industrial Complex, and continued to tour. McCarthy released a solo album, Kill Your Friends, in 2012. In March 2024, McCarthy stepped down from a European Nitzer Ebb tour, citing liver cirrhosis 'following years of alcohol abuse … for over two years I have not been drinking, but recovery is a long process'. Among those paying tribute following his death was the record label Dark Entries, who described McCarthy as 'a tour de force of musical innovation and acumen'.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
What3words used in lifeboat rescue of four people
Four people have been rescued after a boat travelling from Guernsey to Jersey broke down, the coastguard has said. The rescue service said it received a call at about 17:30 BST on Sunday from a man onboard a single-engine powerboat that had lost propulsion. It said although the vessel had no working on board GPS and an inoperative VHS radio, crews were able to establish a position using the location app "what3words". Search Mission Co-ordinator Simon Granger said the incident highlighted the importance of "having on board correctly working navigation". The coastguard said an operator was able to translate the vessel's what3words location from a mobile phone into latitude and longitude. It said a visual search of the position was then conducted from the Coastguard Station and a possible target was located. The St Peter Port Lifeboat (Spirit of Guernsey) located the vessel at about 18:35 BST and towed it back to St Peter Port. Mr Granger said: "This was a successful search and rescue mission. "The incident highlights the importance of maintaining your vessel in a good state of mechanical repair and having on board correctly working navigation and VHF radio equipment. "In addition, the benefits of the what3words app was proven again as an accurate way to pinpoint position not only on land but also in coastal areas." He also thanked the St Peter Port Lifeboat crew for their assistance. Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to Mariners urged to carry emergency beacons Guernsey Coastguard
BBC News
28-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
What3words used in Guernsey lifeboat rescue of four people
Four people have been rescued after a boat travelling from Guernsey to Jersey broke down, the coastguard has rescue service said it received a call at about 17:30 BST on Sunday from a man onboard a single-engine powerboat that had lost said although the vessel had no working on board GPS and an inoperative VHS radio, crews were able to establish a position using the location app "what3words".Search Mission Co-ordinator Simon Granger said the incident highlighted the importance of "having on board correctly working navigation". 'Successful mission' The coastguard said an operator was able to translate the vessel's what3words location from a mobile phone into latitude and said a visual search of the position was then conducted from the Coastguard Station and a possible target was St Peter Port Lifeboat (Spirit of Guernsey) located the vessel at about 18:35 BST and towed it back to St Peter Granger said: "This was a successful search and rescue mission. "The incident highlights the importance of maintaining your vessel in a good state of mechanical repair and having on board correctly working navigation and VHF radio equipment. "In addition, the benefits of the what3words app was proven again as an accurate way to pinpoint position not only on land but also in coastal areas."He also thanked the St Peter Port Lifeboat crew for their assistance.
