Volunteer’s from Sunderland’s RNLI Lifeboat station were called into action in gale force winds [gusts up to 40mph] this morning [Sunday 27th January] when a 33ft fishing vessel suffered a fouled propeller 200m east of South Pier, Sunderland.
Sunderland’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat “Wolseley” was diverted from a routine crew training exercise shortly before mid-day to assist a 33ft fishing boat, whose crew had made an emergency vhf radio transmission. The call was answered by Humber Coastguard Marine Rescue Coordination Centre at Bridlington who immediately requested assistance from Sunderland’s RNLI Lifeboat.
Paul Nicholson, Senior Helmsman at Sunderland RNLI said “After fouling their propeller on a floating line, the crew onboard the vessel took the safest course of action by deploying their anchor and requesting assistance from the Coastguard.”
The vessel and its two crew [2 male adults from Washington] were taken in tow by the lifeboat and returned to it’s moorings at Sunderland Marina.
Mr Nicholson added: "This incident demonstrates the importance of a vessel carrying a correctly sized anchor, had this vessel not, it would have been very quickly blown offshore by the strong westerly winds which were gusting up to 40mph at the time. The RNLI recommends that all vessels are equipped with all of the correct safety equipment, including a suitable anchor and marine radio.”
Sunderland’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat “Wolseley” was diverted from a routine crew training exercise shortly before mid-day to assist a 33ft fishing boat, whose crew had made an emergency vhf radio transmission. The call was answered by Humber Coastguard Marine Rescue Coordination Centre at Bridlington who immediately requested assistance from Sunderland’s RNLI Lifeboat.
Paul Nicholson, Senior Helmsman at Sunderland RNLI said “After fouling their propeller on a floating line, the crew onboard the vessel took the safest course of action by deploying their anchor and requesting assistance from the Coastguard.”
The vessel and its two crew [2 male adults from Washington] were taken in tow by the lifeboat and returned to it’s moorings at Sunderland Marina.
Mr Nicholson added: "This incident demonstrates the importance of a vessel carrying a correctly sized anchor, had this vessel not, it would have been very quickly blown offshore by the strong westerly winds which were gusting up to 40mph at the time. The RNLI recommends that all vessels are equipped with all of the correct safety equipment, including a suitable anchor and marine radio.”
