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Wells RNLI inshore lifeboat assists a 10 metre fishing vessel

Lifeboats News Release

Wells RNLI inshore lifeboat was paged at 11:03am on Saturday 16 December to render assistance to a 10 metre Wells fishing vessel with two people onboard.

The inshore lifeboat Peter Wilcox with a crew of three onboard launched quickly from the boathouse slipway on the fast-ebbing tide at 11:20am and proceeded out of the Harbour, arriving on scene at 11:33am.

The volunteer lifeboat crew assessed the situation and established that the people onboard were unharmed but the fishing vessel had a rope wrapped round its propeller. It was held fast to the ropes ground anchor in the approaches to Wells harbour channel.

The fishing vessel had sustained damage to its gearbox and was disabled because of the fowling of the propeller. The crew were concerned that the boat was taking on water. It was decided that the safest option was to tow the fishing vessel with its rudder inoperative because of the loss of hydraulic power onboard to the safety of Wells Outer Harbour berths.

The tow commenced at 11:40am and the fishing vessel was safely moored at 12 noon to enable further repairs to be undertaken.

The Inshore lifeboat was recovered at 12:07pm and rehoused, refuelled and ready again for service at 12:35pm

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Jessica Curtis, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07860200790 or [email protected] contact the RNLI Press Office 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 146,000 lives.

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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.

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