Poole Lifeboat launched to vessel with mechanical problems and run aground

The vessel with 5 people on-board had encountered a problem with its gearbox at the entrance of the harbour, the slight south westerly breeze had nudged them on to sand on the East side, North of the Chain ferry.

When the lifeboat volunteers arrived on scene they found the boat stuck aground. A crewman was transferred across to check all was okay and a tow line was attached , the lifeboat tried to gently pull the vessel free but it wasn’t moving

A decision was made to transfer the 5 crew ashore at nearby North Haven steps to lighten the load then the lifeboat attempted again to re-float the vessel and applied more power, aided by wash thrown up from passing vessels, the lifeboat successfully released the stricken vessel.

A tow line was attached and the lifeboat brought the boat back to its berth at Cobbs Quay. The casualties on-board had done the right thing and had radioed for help before the situation got worse.

The boat was familiar to the crew as its owner is the stations, Lifeboat Operation manager, who in the meantime had dispatched another vessel to pick up the stranded group of 5 from the North Haven steps.

After refuelling the lifeboat was back on station and ready for service by 7pm.

Paul Glatzel commented 'As volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager at Poole Lifeboat Station and as someone who runs a RYA Training Centre whilst I’d certainly prefer that one of my boats doesn’t need assistance from a lifeboat, the reality is that if you spend many hours afloat sometimes things don’t go quite as planned. On one of our boats it seems that the engine stuck firmly in forward gear and going to reverse increased forward revs leading to the vessel grounding alongside a jetty. The highly experienced Instructor on board dealt with the issue really well and after ensuring everyone was okay sought assistance from Solent Coastguard immediately advising them that he would need the assistance of Poole’s Atlantic class lifeboat to get off the sandbank. To experience both the highly professional crew on the Atlantic and at the Station assisting one of my boats was great to see even if it’s something I’d prefer doesn’t happen again!

If you get into trouble afloat then make sure you contact the Coastguard at the earliest opportunity as they can then ensure you are allocated the right resources quickly in case the situation deteriorates - which these things can do. Make sure you have safety kit such as lifejackets and means of summoning assistance on-board and give thought to what you will do if you need to seek assistance. For the four candidates on a RYA Dayskipper Practical course it was a course never to forget and they were really grateful for the very professional assistance of the RNLI and Coastguard'

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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