Margate RNLI remembers stranded ship drama from 30 years ago

The 19,332 deadweight tonne Argus was in the Margate Roads Anchorage waiting for orders when it started to drag its anchor in near-gale force north-easterly winds.

The ship was in ballast condition (unloaded) and with its high sides exposed to the wind, combined with a minimum propeller immersion the crew were unable to prevent its inexorable drift shorewards and with the vessel at the mercy of the elements it eventually ran aground on chalk rocks and a falling tide off The Lido, Cliftonville.

Although the vessel was sitting upright and the crew not in any immediate danger, HM Coastguard requested Margate RNLI’s Mersey class all-weather lifeboat Leonard Kent be launched to stand-by the vessel.

The coastguard-chartered Emergency Towing Vessel Far Turbot was ordered to the scene from Dover and with Argus carrying both diesel fuel and lubricating oil, Thanet Council’s pollution response team was alerted in case pollutants leaked from the vessel’s bunker tanks.

“Once we arrived on scene it was surreal seeing the ship with its high sides due to its unloaded condition sitting completely still and towering over us while we were manoeuvring in shallow water and heavy seas” comments Peter Barker, coxswain/mechanic of Margate lifeboat at the time.

“Our role was to provide a presence should assistance be needed and as well as taking depth soundings around the ship and exploring the transfer of a messenger line from the tug we assessed the best route to the lee, shore side of Argus should the crew have to be evacuated” states Barker.

There was concern when a crewmember from Argus was lowered over the stern to assess any damage to the propeller and rudder and the lifeboat kept position close to the dangling crewman should anything go wrong.

With the coastguard tug now on scene and negotiations underway ashore regarding commercial assistance, the stricken vessel’s fortunes turned in its favour.

As low water passed, the flood tide swung the vessel around and with its stern now in deeper water was able to refloat under its own power and claw its way slowly back offshore.

After checking for any damage and confirming there was no pollution from Argus the vessel was allowed to proceed to Antwerp and the next chapter in its life following its brief encounter with Thanet’s coastline.

The lifeboat returned to station, its volunteer crew returning to their daily activities following a call that long remained in their memories along with the many local people who gathered to watch the drama of this stranger’s visit to Margate on a cold and windy February day 30 years ago.

ENDS

Photo 1: Margate lifeboat (right) and coastguard tug Far Turbot' (left) stand by the stranded Argus (Isle of Thanet Gazette)

Photo 2: Margate lifeboat (right) stands by the stranded Argus (Isle of Thanet Gazette)

Notes to editors

· Margate lifeboat station has been operating since 1860. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/margate-lifeboat-station

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· Peter Barker, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07974 064304 or [email protected]

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The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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