RNLI Wells lifeboat launches to former fishing boat's Mayday call
Wells Lifeboat responded to a Mayday call from a former fishing vessel which had run aground in the approaches to Blakeney Harbour on the North Norfolk coast.
Wells all-weather lifeboat launched outside the Boathouse at 5:42pm and headed towards the casualty which had by this time re-floated and was heading out of the harbour at Blakeney.
The Wells angling boat Whitby Crest was also on scene and stood by when the Lifeboat arrived at 5:58pm. The lifeboat put a crew member onboard the stricken vessel and the Whitby Crest was released to return back to Wells.
The casualty then developed serious mechanical problems with the main engine overheating badly. To avoid further damage, the engine was switched off and a tow was attached to the lifeboat and a passage resumed back towards Wells harbour.
At 6:36pm the lifeboat, with the casualty under tow, entered Wells Harbour and proceeded to a safe berth on the town quayside. With the vessel safely moored alongside the harbour pontoons, the Lifeboat returned to the boathouse. At 7:30pm the lifeboat was recovered but, because of the high spring tide, she could not be rehoused until later in the evening. No one was hurt in the incident.
Weather: Part Cloudy, Visibility: Good, Sea State: Slight Swell, Wind: Light Airs, Force 2.
For further information please call Peter Rainsford on: 07789 967 255/01328 711463 or,
· John Mitchell, Wells-next-the-Sea Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on:
01328 710882 / 07831103166 / lpo@wellslifeboat.org
· Nicola Quinn, Regional Media Manager (North rel="noopener noreferrer" East/East) 07810 658072
nicola_quinn@rnli.org.uk
· Clare Hopps, Regional rel="noopener noreferrer" Media Officer (North East/East) 07824 518641
clare_hopps@rnli.org.uk
· For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
Notes to Editors
This year is the 150th Anniversary of the RNLI Wells Lifeboat Station, 1869 – 2019, and there will be special events through the summer. More details can be found on our website: http://www.wellslifeboat.org/
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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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 142,700 lives.
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