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13/01/08
The RNLI Torbay and Salcombe all-weather lifeboats pushed through rough seas for hours to reach the vessel after the Master decided it was too dangerous for anyone to stay on board. The vessel was listing and rolling in heavy seas, which caused its cargo to shift, endangering those on board. For each of the eight crew rescued from the 6,395 ton Greek registered vessel, the crew of the RNLI’s Torbay 17 metre lifeboat had to make fiv e or six attempts to get alongside. Mark Criddle, RNLI Lifeboat Coxswain during the rescue operation says: ‘Getting people off ships at sea is never straightforward but despite the sea conditions last night we managed to rescue the remaining eight crew after their fellow crew members had earlier been airlifted to safety by Coastguard helicopter. During the transfer one of crewmen from the Ice Prince slid down the listing deck into an area of the ship that was covered in sea water – luckily he was able to get himself out. Two others got into difficulty while being transferred, but they were being held onto by lifeboat crew and so were quickly brought into the safety of the lifeboat. ‘These situations can deteriorate dramatically and rapidly, so it was good to kn ow fellow RNLI lifeboat crew from Salcombe were close by on their all-weather lifeboat as backup. ’The Torbay and Salcombe RNLI lifeboats were requested to launch by the Coastguard at around 7.30pm yesterday (13 Jan); arrived on scene at around 9.50pm; and were back on station at around 3am (14 Jan). The Torbay lifeboat has sustained some minor damage, but remains operational. Last night weather on scene was gusting to force 8, with a five-metre swell
Update: At 0045hrs on 15/01/08 The Ice Prince sunk in severe weather in the English Channel approx 26 m SE of Potland Billl.
(50 09.9N 002 02.08W)
The photo above shows the ‘Ice Prince’ in daylight after the rescue of it’s crew. The vessel has started to shed it’s load of sawn timber into the sea.
The photo on the left was taken from the Torbay Lifeboat and illustrates the severity of the of the conditions and the vessels list to port. The bright lights at the top of the photo are from the Coastguard rescue helicopter ‘India Juliet’ who winched 12 of the vessels crew to safety.
If you would like to see the BBC News report about this rescue then click here.
14/08/07
Having recently returned from the service below another Fastnet competitor, the 10.5m yacht ‘Jambalaya’ reported to Brixham Coastguard MRCC that she was dismasted in gale force winds and heavy seas approx 10 miles S of Start Point with 2 persons on board. The stations All Weather Tyne Class lifeboat ‘Baltic Exchange II’ was requested to launch and assist. The lifeboat made best speed possible in the conditions and on arrival took the yacht in tow to Salcombe arriving at 7.30am.......just in time for a days work!!
14/08/07
At 0200 hrs the challenging Fastnet Race 2007 was well under way with yachts being confronted by gale force winds and heavy seas. At about this time the 12.5m competitor ‘Puma Logic’ reported to Brixham Coastguard MRCC that a crew member had been struck by a spinnaker pole causing a leg fracture. The stations Tyne Class All Weather Lifeboat ‘Baltic Exchange II was tasked to launch immediately to assist. The lifeboat met the yacht about 1 mile S of Salcombe and escorted it to Salcombe in worsening conditions. A description of the vessel can be found by clicking here.
04/08/07
At 1510 the Princess 35 ‘Meek Altarra’ reported hearing a loud bang and the loss of their port engine as they were departing Salcombe Harbour. It became quickly apparent that the vessel was taking water rapidly and immediate assistance was requested. The stations relief Atlantic 75 Inshore Lifeboat was launched with a pump and proceeded at full speed to the casualty. After quickly getting the pump to work combined with the vessels own pump the ingress of water was neutralised and the vessel was escorted under it’s own power to Batson where a Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service fire appliance was waiting to assist.
03/08/07
The 18m motor cruiser ‘Mon Plaisieur’ informed Brixham Coastguard MRCC of their engine failure at about around 1.50pm. The stations Tyne Class All Weather Lifeboat ‘Baltic Exchange II’ was requested to launch and assist the vessel 8 miles south of Start Point. On arrival the lifeboat was unable to locate the casualty in it’s reported position despite good visibility. The casualty was called on VHF radio and after no response local vessels in the area were asked for reports with no sightings. After 30 minutes on scene the casualty was reported entering Torquay Harbour. Much to the amazement of all those involved the crew had failed to inform anyone that their defect had been rectified and were underway!!
18/06/07
Brixham Coastguard MRCC requested the immediate launch of the stations Tyne Class All Weather Lifeboat ‘Baltic Exchange II’ to a report of a 20’ sailing yacht with rudder failure in heavy seas in Bigbury Bay. The yacht had departed form the River Avon at Bantham bound for Plymouth when the incident occurred in a 4 metre swell. On arrival a line was expertely connected and the yacht was towed towards Plymouth. The Plymouth Severn Class ALB launched to take over the tow.
12/06/07
At 7.16pm Brixham Coastguard MRCC were informed by the 28m fishing trawler ‘Christine’ that she had lost power possibly as a result of contaminated fuel. The vessel gave it’s position as 1.5 miles SW of Bolt Head and another trawler was nearby and offered a tow. However due to the proximity of the vessel to the rocky shoreline the stations All Weather Tyne Class Lifeboat ‘Baltic Exchange II’ was requested to launch. On arrival the lifeboat stood by until the trawler Blue Angel had connected a tow to the casualty.
05/06/07
At 2100 Brixham Coastguard MRCC were infored of 2 teenage females who were stranded on a rock having been cut off by the tide at Hoist Point, just west of Bigbury-on-Sea. The stations Atlantic 75 Inshore Lifeboat ‘Joan Bate’ was requested to launch immediatlely and sped to the scene. On arrival the girls were located and plucked form the rock by the ILB crew and taken to nearby Westcombe beach unhurt.
03/06/07
At 12.15pm the stations Atlantic 75 Inshore Lifeboat ‘Joan Bate’ was requested to launch and assist an 18ft Dory ‘Creekajac’ who had suffered engine failure. Unfortunately the swell at the time prevented the vessel form making way under its auxiliary outboard. The vessel was towed to Salcombe
06/07/07
Around 4.10pm this afternoon a kite surfer was reported to be in difficulties off Torcross. The Atlantic 75 Inshore Lifeboat ‘Joan Bate’ was requested to launch and assist. Half was through the journey an update revealed that the kite surfer was ok and the ILB was stood down.
05/05/07
At about 1.15pm today the station’s Atlantic 75 Inshore Lifeboat ‘Joan Bate’ was requested to launch to a report of a 7 year old boy who required urgent medical assistance after becoming ill on Rickham Sands, nr Gara Rock. On arrival the ILB was beached and took on board the boy and his mother for the journey to Salcombe and into the care of the ambulance service.
29/04/07
MRCC Brixham requested the launch at 0941 of the All Weather Relief Tyne Class Lifeboat to the aid of the Salcombe based 120 ton Crabber ‘Emma Jane’ who was reported to have a fire on board. Her position was given as 37 nm south of Salcombe. The ALB arrived on scene at 1205 where the Severn Class Torbay Lifeboat, also tasked to the incident, already had the casualty under tow. The Salcombe Lifeboat escorted the casualty and took over the tow from the Torbay Lifeboat some 3nm South of Salcombe and towed the Emma Jane back to her berth on Fish Quay, arriving at around 1715. The Torbay Lifeboat remained on scene with a line attached to the stern of the Emma Jane to assist controlling of the manouvre in close quarters. Weather conditions on scene were NE 4-5 with a 1.5m swell
28/04/07
This morning our Atlantic 75 Inshore Lifeboat ‘Joan Bate’ launched to a broken down 17 ft motor boat west of Burgh Island. The ILB attended the casualty who was already under tow by a small fishing vessel into Bantham
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