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Fowey RNLI lifeboat crew rescue fishing vessel with engine fire

Lifeboats News Release

At 8.22am on Saturday 4 March, the coastguard tasked the Fowey RNLI lifeboat volunteers to assist a 16ft fishing vessel that had become stranded out in St Austell Bay due to a small engine fire.

Fowey RNLI

Fowey lifeboat crew set up a tow line for the fishing boat

It was the first time that volunteer launch authority (LA), Dan Cohen, had been in charge of a launch since becoming an LA. Dan authorised the launch of the all-weather lifeboat with cox Jonathan Pritchard and crew members Jimmy Hoddinott, James Dowrick, Ross Jezard, Pete Parry, Tom Cunningham, Paul Birkby and Callum Pritchard on board.

In calm but cold weather conditions, the crew made best speed to the stranded vessel. The boat was lying at anchor 2 nautical miles south of Gribbin Head. On arrival the lifeboat crew found two crew onboard the fishing vessel who had managed to put the fire out. Fowey crew ascertained that the fire was fully extinguished and that there were no casualties. They then set up a tow-line and towed the boat back to safety at Caffa Mill in Fowey Harbour.

Fowey RNLI

Fowey RNLI

Fowey RNLI

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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