Wells RNLI lifeboats assist grounded steel-hulled vessel at harbour entrance
Volunteer crews from Wells RNLI launched at dusk on Friday evening 25 July to assist a 20-foot steel-hulled motor vessel that had lost power and drifted aground near the entrance to Wells Harbour.
Humber Coastguard paged the Wells Deputy Launch Authority (DLA) at 8:38pm requesting assistance to the grounded vessel. With limited information about the vessel, the DLA requested the launch of both the inshore lifeboat Peter Wilcox and the all-weather lifeboat Duke of Edinburgh.
Three volunteer crew members launched aboard the Peter Wilcox at 8:54pm followed by six volunteers on the Duke of Edinburgh at 8:59pm, both from the station’s main slipway.
As the lifeboats arrived quickly on scene the inshore lifeboat at 8:59pm and the all-weather lifeboat at 9:03pm it became clear the casualty vessel had run firmly aground on Bob Hall Sands, to the east of the harbour entrance. The vessel had lost engine power while entering the harbour and drifted into shallow water.
A RIB from the Harbour Authority was also on scene but was unable to approach due to the depth. The Peter Wilcox was able to reach the vessel, and its crew safely transferred the four casualties on board to the Duke of Edinburgh for passage back to shore. The casualties were landed safely at Wells Quayside at 9:41pm
Before returning to the station, the inshore lifeboat set out an anchor and warp for the casualty vessel to enable recovery on the morning tide.
Both lifeboats returned to station, were recovered, refuelled, and made ready for service.
Notes to Editor
- Ashore: Peter Wilcox 9:52pm, Duke of Edinburgh 9:56pm
- Refuelled: Peter Wilcox 10:10pm, Duke of Edinburgh 10:50pm
- Ready for service: 10:59pm
RNLI Media contacts Jess Curtis, RNLI and Regional Engagements North and East, Lifeboat Press Officer at Wells: Tel 07483488243 Email: [email protected] contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
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