Filey RNLI save fishing boat and crew
Just before 7am. Humber Coastguard directly paged for the immediate launch of Filey’s Mersey Class all-weather lifeboat (ALB), Keep Fit Association, following a call from the local10 metre fishing vessel, Magic, that she was rapidly taking on water and sinking just off Filey Brigg.
Within seven minutes of the call, the ALB had launched under the command of Coxswain / Mechanic Barry Robson, and was quickly alongside the fishing vessel. Filey Inshore Lifeboat was also placed on immediate standby.
Two members of the all-weather lifeboat along with a portable salvage pump were transferred to the Magic. Fortunately, after about 30 minutes of continuous pumping the water had sufficiently cleared to enable to boat to restart its engine.
The fishing vessel was then escorted back to Scarborough Harbour by the all-weather lifeboat which returned to Filey and was recarriaged some 3 hours after the incident developed.
Barry Robson, Coxswain/Mechanic said: “The rapid response of the all-weather lifeboat here at Filey undoubtedly saved the crew and their boat. They had already deployed their life raft and were preparing to abandon ship. We soon managed to get a salvage pump on board the vessel along with 2 lifeboat crew members and once the water had receded we were able to escort the boat back to Scarborough.
A large number of fishing vessels operate off Filey and having a lifeboat nearby is a re-assurance to them especially in circumstances like this.”
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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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