Gravesend RNLI tasked to vessel run aground and taking on water
At 9:25am on August 31 Gravesend’s lifeboat 'Olive Laura Deare II' launched by HM Coastguard to assist a vessel in Stoneness near Dartford Bridge that had run aground and was taking on water whilst on route to Henley-On-Thames.
The lifeboat had four crew members onboard including RNLI Thames Commander Connor Edwards.
Connor said, ‘Thankfully a passer-by spotted the casualties on board the vessel bailing water and calling for help, they did the right thing by calling 999 and asking for the Coastguard’.
‘We managed to get on scene 9:45am and immediately set up the salvage pump to start bailing water, there were four crew on board the vessel and despite the situation all were in good spirits’.
Metropolitan Police's Marine 3 boat and Port of London’s Harbour Launch Vessel Kew arrived to offer assistance but were shortly stood down by HM Coastguard.
RNLI’s Thames Commander Stewart Chalis said, ‘By the time the water level had reduced in the engine compartment, we managed to spot the issue and were then able to re attach the offending engine hose, also by this point the tide had risen enough to allow the vessel to re-float’.
‘The vessel successfully started its engines and Gravesend RNLI’s 'Olive Laura Deare II' escorted it to Gravesend Reach until crew were happy enough to continue their journey back to Leigh-On-Sea’.
Gravesend RNLI were then stood down by HM Coastguard at 11:29am, refuelled and ready for service by 12:14pm.
ENDS
Notes to Editor
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