Portsmouth Lifeboat launched to investigate Sunken fishing boat

On arrival, the RNLI lifeboat crew searched the partially sunken fishing boat to confirm that nobody was trapped inside, with coastguard rescue units already on scene and previous reports to say that the skipper had been spotted earlier wading out of the water, the volunteer crews focus changed to securing the wreck and preventing a potential environmental issue.

It is believed that in the mornings foggy weather, the fishing vessel struck an underwater World War 2 anti-submarine barrier causing extensive damage to the hull. Realising that his boat was taking on water the skipper took the decision to run the boat up the beach in an attempt to save it.

Once the boat had been secured the lifeboat returned to station and coastguard made arrangements for recovery

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

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