Blyth RNLI assists wind farm vessel with mechanical issues
The volunteer crew were paged by UK Coastguard to respond to a Mayday distress call from the vessel
Yesterday (Sunday 20th January) the vessel Wind Transfer had suffered mechanical issues which meant there was water being taken on board. The vessel which was due East of the Port of Blyth raised the alarm via a distress call and upon receiving this UK Coastguard paged the volunteer crew at Blyth at 10.15am.
The B Class Atlantic 75 Vic and Billie Whiffen was launched and headed to meet with the vessel and to ascertain the damage and report back to UK Coastguard. Newbiggin RNLI had heard the Mayday distress call and launched and arrived on scene to also provide assistance.
The volunteer crew from Blyth ascertained that the casualty vessel could make its own way back to the Port of Blyth and that both inshore lifeboats would provide an escort.
The Port of Blyth arranged for the vessel to proceed to Battleship Wharf where it could be lifted out by crane for further inspection.
Once alongside Battleship Wharf the volunteer crews used their salvage pumps to pump out the water on board and the local Blyth Coastguard unit organised for Northumberland Fire and Rescue to attend to use their higher capacity pump.
Both B Class lifeboats together with Blyth's D Class lifeboat which also attended, then stood by whilst the casualty vessel was lifted out of the water.
UK Coastguard then stood down the three lifeboats and Blyth's were refuelled and made ready for service.
Helmsman Steven Fitch said: 'It was a good team effort by all the agencies involved to ensure that no further damage occurred to the Wind Transfer and that its crew were able to make it safely back to the Port of Blyth'.
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