Donate now

Dover RNLI Crew Assist Dutch Passenger Vessel in Distress in the English Channel

Lifeboats News Release

On Sunday 11 December, the Dover RNLI crew were paged by HM Coastguard at 10.05pm to reports of a vessel in distress four miles due south of Dover Harbour.

RNLI/Nicholas Cobb

With their anchor stuck fast, the skipper of the 44m Dutch inshore passenger vessel, contacted HM Coastguard to request immediate assistance and due to the worsening sea and weather conditions, Dover’s Severn Class ALB was tasked to provide on scene assistance with an immediate launch. With both crew and vessel at risk due to the growing seas, the anchor was cut and the vessel safely escorted back to the safety of Dover Harbour.

According to Aaron O’Boyle, Coxswain in Command:

‘In what was a fast-changing situation, we were pleased to offer immediate support to the skipper and his crew aboard the vessel. With an anchor stuck fast the crew did the right thing to contact HM Coastguard. We train for every eventuality and this tasking, whilst challenging was the right outcome – all aboard safe and well’

Launching in force 4/5 rough seas and with wintry conditions fast setting in, the 24-7/365 crew of seven assisted the vessel back to Dover’s tidal harbour and helped the casualty vessel to berth safely in what was to become a near four-hour tasking in challenging conditions. The Severn Class ALB is the largest in the RNLI fleet and is ideally suited to taskings with vessels such as this. The RNLI volunteer crew at Dover train in all weather and sea conditions to assist the saving of life at sea.

Sea conditions in the Dover Straights are changeable at very short notice and should a vessel have any concerns for the safety of its crew or the vessel itself, it is immediately advised to request the assistance of HM Maritime and Coastguard agency.

RNLI media contacts

  • Nic Cobb, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Dover RNLI [email protected] / 07514350439

  • Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer, London and South East 07785 296252 [email protected]

  • For enquiries outside normal business hours contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

Key facts about the RNLI

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 142,700 lives.

Key facts about the RNLI

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

Categories