Flamborough and Bridlington RNLI crews help grounded trawler

The trawler, with four crew on board, contacted the Coastguard after becoming grounded at South Landing, Flamborough. The Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat from Flamborough and Mersey class all-weather lifeboat from Bridlington launched at around 5.30am to help refloat the vessel.

The Flamborough RNLI crew passed a tow line to the trawler and managed to turn the vessel. Another trawler which responded to the distress call attempted to tow the vessel free but was unable to move it.

When the larger Bridlington RNLI lifeboat arrived, they took the tow line and were able to pull the trawler off the rocks.

The crew assessed the condition of the trawler and, once it was established it was relatively unscathed, Bridlington RNLI lifeboat escorted it back to Bridlington Harbour.

Christopher Brompton, Bridlington RNLI mechanic, said: ‘Our two lifeboat crews worked well together to make sure the trawler and her crew were safe. Fortunately, the weather and tide were in our favour and it was a pretty straightforward task to get the trawler free and escort her back to the harbour.’

Simon Robson, Flamborough RNLI helm, added: ‘A combination of speed and power stopped this from becoming a more serious incident. The Flamborough lifeboat arrived first and managed to hold the vessel from being driven any further ashore until the Bridlington all-weather lifeboat could provide the power needed to pull them clear. As a result, the vessel was successfully refloated, on a rapidly dropping tide, without any major damage.’

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For more information contact Alison Levett, RNLI PR Manager, North, on 07786 668912, or Andy Brompton, Bridlington RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07919 451018

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