Southwold RNLI launch to report of vessel on fire

The lifeboat was launched and received tasking from HM Coastguard to reports of an 8.5m motor vessel on fire, three nautical miles due east of Southwold.

The single male on board had reported smoke coming from the cabin, at which time he had shut down his engine and called for assistance.

Arriving on scene the lifeboat crew found that any fire had been extinguished and confirmed with the vessel's skipper that the fuel and electrics had been isolated.

A crew member from Southwold inshore lifeboat (ILB) Annie Tranmer was transferred to the casualty vessel to confirm the fire had been contained and assess the situation.

With confirmation that there was no longer a fire on board, and with its only means of propulsion disabled, it was decided following a dynamic risk assessment by the helm that the safest option was to tow the vessel back to Southwold Harbour.

The casualty vessel was moored on the public quay shortly before midday, before the crew handed over to members of HM Coastguard, Lowestoft.

The lifeboat returned to station and was readied for service again.

Southwold RNLI Lifeboat Helm, Sam Doy said: 'It was a good outcome, the vessel's owner took the correct actions to contain any fire in the engine compartment and followed the advice from Humber 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 142,700 lives.

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