
Redcar RNLI launch both lifeboats to the aid of sinking fishing boat
Volunteer crews from Redcar RNLI responded to their pagers at 9.24 on Thursday 31 October after a fishing vessel lost power and ran aground at ‘German Charlies’ close to South Gare, Redcar.
The D class lifeboat crew was able to approach the stricken vessel, which was listing badly, and two crew members managed to help the fisherman back to their lifeboat.
The lone fisherman was brought aboard the D Class lifeboat Eileen May Loach-Thomas and was later helped back to shore at South Gare.
Ben Howard, Helm of the D Class lifeboat said: ‘As we approached the scene, we could see the vessel was clearly aground on German Charlies. I manoeuvred the lifeboat as close as possible before two crew members waded across to the fishing vessel and brought the casualty back on board our lifeboat. The vessel looked to be catastrophically damaged and had taken on lots of water. As the tide came in the vessel moved and then sank.'
Mike Picknett, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Redcar RNLI added: ‘The professionalism of our volunteer crew in a potentially life-threatening situation, meant that the casualty was returned safely to shore. This is what our volunteers train and practice for every week of the year. A job well done.’
Notes to Editors
Redcar lifeboat station has been operating since 1802
Redcar currently operates a B-class lifeboat named Leicester Challenge III, paid for by the people of Leicester, and an IB1-class lifeboat named Eileen May Loach-Thomas, paid from the legacy of the late Mr Nick Thomas of Shropshire
RNLI Media contacts
For more information, please contact Andy Watson, Lifeboat Press Officer, Redcar RNLI on 07954 435834 or 01642 484491 or email [email protected]
Clare Hopps Regional Media Officer 07824 518641
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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 146,000 lives.
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