Fishing Vessel Runs Aground On Infamous Black Midden Rocks

The skipper of the 20m, 163-tonne vessel radioed for assistance after his vessel suffered gearbox failure whilst sailing out of the harbour, leaving him unable to avoid the rocks.

UK Coastguard's Humber Operations Centre requested the launch of the RNLI lifeboats at 05:20 and they sped to the scene which was just quarter of a mile from the lifeboat station.

Once on scene the volunteer lifeboat crew members ensured the crew of the stranded fishing vessel were uninjured and in no immediate danger before the crew of the Severn class all weather lifeboat Spirit of Northumberland attached their tow rope to the trawler.

Several attempts were made to pull the vessel from the rocks but the tide was falling and it proved impossible to free it.

After consulting with the skipper of the fishing vessel a decision to leave it where it was until the next high tide when another attempt will be made to refloat it and tow it to safety. The fishermen were in no danger and happy to remain on board, and the lifeboat crews stood by for an hour to ensure the vessel was stable and not going to roll over as the tide fell. Members of the Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade also kept watch from shore.

The lifeboats then returned to station with the intention of relaunching later in the day to refloat the vessel and at 10:15am both lifeboats launched again. The all weather lifeboat tow rope was attached to the trawler which was pulled clear of the rocks and towed the short distance to safety at North Shields Fish Quay while the inshore lifeboat followed as a precaution.

Adrian Don, spokesman for Tynemouth RNLI, said: 'Since the Tyne became a major harbour many vessels have been wrecked and lives lost on the notorious Black Midden rocks which are the main reason that lifeboats were first established on the Tyne way back in 1790.

'Timing was key to getting the stranded fishing boat free as the tide had to have risen enough to allow it to be pulled clear but not so high that it could have floated off out of control.

'Thankfully no one came to any harm in this incident but it serves as a reminder that the Black Middens are still a major hazard in the river mouth.'

Ends

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