Peterhead Lifeboat Launches to Mayday call for Small Angling Boat

The all-weather lifeboat, Misses Robertson of Kintail, and her volunteer crew arrived on the scene at 1.18 pm, transferring two crew members and a salvage pump to the casualty vessel. It was quickly decided that the design of the boat was going to restrict access to the bilges so the two crew began bailing the water out by hand. While assessing the situation and in consideration of the slower process of bailing-out the boat, lifeboat Coxwain, Pat Davidson decided it was safest to tow the casualty vessel alongside the lifeboat the short distance back to Peterhead Marina, where the local Coastguard team helped to fix a safe mooring.

Recalling the incident, crew Member, Keith More said,

'We came alongside the vessel and transferred across the salvage pump. Ryan and I made every effort to try and pump out the water, but due to the boat's design, it proved easier to use the traditional methods of bailing out the boat by hand.'

Coxwain, Pat Davidson added,

'We received an immediate launch request from the Coastguard after the casualty called 999 for assistance when their vessel began taking on water. A Mayday relay was issued, and other vessels were also responding. However, due to the excellent response time of our volunteers, we arrived on the scene very quickly, within only 5 minutes of launching the lifeboat. I want to thank the crew for their excellent teamwork to help stabilise the vessel and safely tow her to Peterhead Marina. Our thanks also go to the other vessels who responded along with Peterhead Coastguard.'

It is important to carry a means of calling for help if you do get into difficulty at sea. A VHF radio or mobile phone in a waterproof pouch will allow you to get the message out that you need help. If you find yourself in difficulty on the coast or at sea, Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

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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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