Blyth and Cullercoats RNLI respond to Mayday call
Volunteer crew from both Blyth and Cullercoats RNLI respond to a Mayday call after a fishing vessel collided with a cargo ship anchored north of the Tyne piers.
The volunteer crew launched shortly afterwards and headed south arriving on scene within 15 minutes.
Cullercoats RNLI were already in the area on a training exercise and diverted to assist the casualty vessel.
Both volunteer crews used their salvage pumps to try and pump out the water that the fishing vessel was taking on board but unfortunately the attempts of the volunteer crews were unsuccessful.
The crew from the stricken fishing vessel were safely transferred to Cullercoats RNLI Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat and both crews could only watch the vessel sink.
Both lifeboats were able to leave the scene after clearing debris from the area and Blyth RNLI returned to station at 7.42pm.
Blyth RNLI Helm Graham Short commented;'We arrived on scene to assist Cullercoats RNLI to pump the water from the fishing vessel.Unfortunately the damage suffered meant there was too much water for our salvage pumps to cope with. We are glad that no-one was injured and that the person onboard was transferred safely onto Cullercoats RNLI inshore lifeboat.'
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