Disabled fishing vessel assisted by Margate RNLI
A commercial fishing vessel has been towed to safety by Margate lifeboat after it encountered machinery problems in shipping lanes north east of Margate.
The 9m fishing vessel with two persons on board contacted UK Coastguard around 1pm today (Wednesday 4 August) reporting their vessel had suffered machinery failure and was disabled in shipping lanes around 6 miles north east of Margate, assistance was requested.
Margate’s B class lifeboat was requested to launch by the coastguard to assess the situation and on arrival the lifeboat crew confirmed the vessel was indeed disabled and that the occupants were safe and well. The lifeboat helm made the decision that towing the vessel to a safe port was necessary and the safest way to assist the casualties.
A towing connection was established and the fishing vessel was towed to the safety of Ramsgate harbour where it was made secure, the lifeboat returned to station.
ENDS
Notes to editors
· Margate lifeboat station has been operating since 1860. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/margate-lifeboat-station
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For more information please contact:
· Peter Barker, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07974 064304 or [email protected]
· Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (South East) on 0207 6207416, 07786 668825 or [email protected]
· RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
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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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