Wells RNLI launches to assist disabled fishing skiff off Cley

Humber Coastguard requested the launch of Wells inshore lifeboat Peter Wilcox at 8.47am after receiving a report that the vessel, which had launched from Cley, was disabled and unable to make its own way safely back to shore.

Wells RNLI inshore lifeboat launched from the north slipway at Wells boathouse at 8.58am on the ebbing tide and made its way out of the harbour towards the casualty vessel.

Peter Wilcox arrived alongside the skiff at 9.26am, where the volunteer crew carried out an on-scene assessment. The vessel had suffered mechanical failure, those onboard were unable to restart the engine, and they were not in a position to return safely to shore by their own means.

Although a guard vessel was in the vicinity, it was unable to safely navigate to a position where it could recover the skiff to the beach. With no other suitable craft nearby, and following consultation with Humber Coastguard, it was agreed that establishing a tow was the safest and most appropriate course of action to protect the two people onboard, prevent the situation from deteriorating, and reduce the risk of the disabled vessel becoming more of a navigational hazard to other water users.

The tow was rigged and commenced at 9.29am, with the skiff safely returned to Cley beach and recovered onto its trailer at 9.40am.

With no further assistance required, the lifeboat was stood down and returned towards Holkham beach for a low water recovery. The inshore lifeboat was ashore at 10.20am and was refuelled, rehoused and ready again for service at 11.10am.

Chris Hardy, Wells RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: ‘This was a good example of why an on-scene assessment is so important. The vessel was disabled, the crew could not repair the engine, and they were unable to return safely to shore without assistance.

‘While towing is not undertaken as a matter of routine, in this case it was clear that a tow was the safest way to resolve the situation. It helped prevent further risk to the people onboard, avoided the vessel remaining disabled offshore, and reduced the risk of the skiff becoming more of a navigational hazard to other water users.

‘By working with Humber Coastguard and assessing the conditions and options available at the time, the crew were able to bring the incident to a safe and controlled conclusion.

‘We would always encourage anyone heading to sea to make sure their vessel is well maintained, that they have a reliable means of calling for help, and that they let someone ashore know where they are going and when they expect to return.

‘If you see anyone in difficulty at the coast or at sea, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Jess Curtis, Wells RNLI Volunteer Press Officer [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [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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