urgent message

[curtis.dunn]

if you own a rib with a white hull orange sponsen's and 150hp engine either named side winder on pepsi
please contact the coastguard as there was a distress call sent from this boat but it could not be traced

cheers curtis

[Charlton]

Abit more info for you Curtis, all boat owners should read it and take heed.

Humber Coastguard are asking for the owner of a 6.6 metre rigid inflatable MMSI number 235053194 to get in contact after an emergency VHF DSC alert sparked a fruitless search this afternoon.

At 3.11pm Humber Coastguard received a VHF DSC radio distress alert from a 6.6 metre rigid inflatable MMSI 23053194 number somewhere within the range of the Coastguards Cullercoats VHF aerial but with no position or further information as to the nature of the emergency. A search commenced across a large area, involving four lifeboats, two Coastguard Rescue Teams and the rescue helicopter R128 from RAF Leconfield with nothing found.

Humber Coastguard has been hampered in identifying basic essential information for search and rescue such as the current owner and vessel name because the MMSI database entry for this vessel has not been updated by subsequent owners of the craft. Coastguards have spoken with several previous owners without yet finding the current owner and therefore cannot determine if there are people at risk on this vessel right now or where the vessel is.

The original details for the vessel describe it as a 6.6 metre rigid hulled inflatable with a white hull and red tubes. Two previous names include Sidewinder and Pepsi.

Humber Coastguard Watch Manager Graham Dawson explains,
The DSC VHF radio distress alert allows a boat to raise the alarm at the touch of a button on the radio unit, but in order for rescue services to get help quickly to the right place it should include a position and be followed by voice communications, eg a Mayday call. For the system to work well it requires the MMSI database to be updated each time the vessel changes name and or owner. Failing to do this means valuable time and resources are wasted attempting to find more information to resolve an incident

[codseeker]

not sure what to say on this one hope no lifes are lost and boat is safe and thanks to the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea

[Alfie]

Pepsi was sitting at Derwenthaugh marina yesterday morning. It was hitched onto a silver Range Rover. It was still there at about 1 oclock as we went past in the boat. Powerhouse Marine might know who the current owner is. I was saying to myself I bet that thing can shift.

[Charlton]

have sent coastguard e mail

[curtis.dunn]

full story

lifeboat volunteers from Sunderland and 3 other RNLI lifeboat stations were all called into action as part of a major search and rescue after Coastguards received an electronic ‘Mayday’ signal from a vessel without a specific location.

Shortly after 03:15pm this afternoon (Saturday, 26 March) Coastguard Officers based at Humber Coastguard Marine Rescue Coordination Centre received an electronic DSC ‘Mayday’ signal identified as being from a 6.2m inflatable RIB.

After attempting to contact the owner using registered contact details; Coastguard Officers requested the immediate launch of an All Weather Lifeboat from Tynemouth RNLI and four inshore lifeboats from Sunderland, Tynemouth and Cullercoats, RNLI Lifeboat stations.

A search and Rescue helicopter from RAF Leconfield; and shore based Coastguard Rescue Teams from Sunderland, Blyth, Newbiggin, and Amble was also tasked to join the search operation.

Ian Rowan, Helmsman at Sunderland RNLI said ‘Unfortunately because the distress signal did not include a location; it was necessary to flood the area with search and rescue assets to locate the vessel which was reported to be in distress. The massive search area covered a thirty mile radius of the Coastguards radio transmitter near St Mary’s Island.’

A 3 hour long search was carried out by the search units and co-ordinated by Coastguard Officers at Humber Coastguard. Shortly after 06:00pm it was decided to terminate the search with Coastguards being satisfied that the area had been covered sufficiently.

Ian added ‘The Coastguard and the Police are continuing their investigations in an attempt to locate the current owner of this vessel to confirm that everything is well and that the boat and any crew are accounted for. It is vital that anyone who owns a boat equipped with DSC equipment keeps the registration contact details up to date. These details must be updated as soon as possible after any transfer of ownership to ensure that Coastguards can trace the vessels owner in the event of any emergency.’