Dover and Ramsgate lifeboats launched after major collision in English Channel

With initial reports of damage to at least one of the ships and the location of the incident in the south west channel of the busy main shipping lane, both RNLI vessels raced to the scene, approximately 15 miles north east of Dover, crewed by a total of 15 RNLI volunteers. Nine crew were on board the Dover Severn class lifeboat City of London 2 and six on board the Ramsgate Trent class lifeboat, Esme Anderson.

Meanwhile the UK Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 163 was on the scene to assess the damage to the vessels, a 48,580 ton, 183m long crude oil tanker, the Seafrontier, registered in Hong Kong and the Huayang Endeavour, a 75,000 ton bulk carrier measuring 225m long and also registered in Hong Kong. It is understood both vessels suffered damage in the collision with the Seafrontier having a hole above the water line and damage to the superstructure.

On reaching the ships, the Ramsgate lifeboat was tasked with standing alongside the Seafrontier while the Dover lifeboat stood ready to assist the Huayang Endeavour while a tug was called to the scene from Boulogne , France.

Both lifeboats were stood down at 05.44am by which time the tug was in assistance and the Seafrontier taken under tow.

The Ramsgate lifeboat was launched at 02.37am and on scene at 03.15am. The Dover lifeboat was launched at 02.42am and was on the scene at 03.59am. Weather conditions at the time of the call-out showed a moderate wind and the state of the sea was calm.

Although it was fortunate there were no casualties, the incident demonstrated how quickly the RNLI is able to respond to an incident in the world’s busiest shipping lane with the Ramsgate all weather lifeboat on the scene within 38 minutes of launching and the Dover all-weather lifeboat on location just over an hour after launching.

RNLI media contacts

• Paul Dunt, RNLI Press Officer (London/East/South East) on 0207 6207416, 07786 668825, [email protected]
• Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East) on 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [email protected]
• John Ray Lifeboat Press Officer, Ramsgate Lifeboat Station 07759 480825 [email protected]
• Sarah Hardy Lifeboat Press Officer, Dover Lifeboat Station (07711) 498213 [email protected]
• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

Key facts about the RNLI

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 238 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 240 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.

The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.

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

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.