Amble Lifeboat Shouts

Date: Thursday 20th October 2011

Wind: Light - W 4-5
Visibility: Good
Sea state: Breaking seas (Harbour Entrance)
Time of launch: 1200hrs
Time of return: 1300hrs

Boats launched: ALB

Reason: The Amble All-weather lifeboat The Four Boys was launched at mid-day after the RNLI Station Mechanic witnessed a small leisure fishing vessel struggling at the harbour mouth and raised the alarm.

Station Mechanic John Sim noticed the vessel was struggling in heavy seas over a
notorious sandbank at the entrance to the harbour. The casualty had been leaving
the harbour in heavy swell conditions which caused the anchor and rope to become
dislodged from its stowage on the foredeck of the vessel. The anchor rope went
under the boat and into the propeller disabling the engine and steerage. With the
rest of the anchor rope streaming astern, the anchor then took hold of the sea bed.
Because of the ebbing tide, the current kept the casualty pinned down in the worst
place possible - amongst the breaking seas. The casualty was head up to the sea
but slewing from side to side and the seas were gradually filling her with water with a
significant risk of imminent capsize..
When the lifeboat arrived on scene, the single person on board the 20 foot casualty
vessel appeared to be limited in their ability to assist and remained in place at the
stern of the boat whilst the lifeboat crew got to work.

It was decided to try and place one crewmember aboard the casualty with the
tow rope; this proved to be an extremely difficult manoeuvre as the casualty was
slewing dangerously from side to side. After several tries, crewmember & local
Harbourmaster Paul Allen was transferred to the casualty with the rope. During this
period, both the casualty and lifeboat were awash with breaking seas. The Coxswain
had decided to keep the lifeboat head up into the harbour and stern onto sea as this
was deemed to be the safest option as it would have been extremely dangerous to
tow the boat out to sea and then back into the harbour. Paul Allen was constantly
being washed over by breaking seas but managed to secure the tow rope. With the
tow rope secure, the coxswain put weight onto the tow and turned the casualty head
up into the harbour; while this was happening several heavy swells broke over both
boats, dumping considerable amounts of water into the casualty.
As the boats cleared up river away from the swell, a rope was observed to be
dragging astern of the casualty, this was the anchor rope with the anchor still
attached. Coming alongside at the marina, the anchor took hold preventing the boats
from berthing; however this was soon overcome and the casualty safely berthed
along side.

Commenting on the rescue RNLI Second Coxswain John Wingfield said “To bring
this operation to a safe conclusion required seamanship and teamwork of the highest
order from all the crew of to save the life of the casualty in those conditions.”

Date: Friday 9th September 2011

Wind: Light - SW 1
Visibility: Good
Sea state: Clam
Time of launch: 2100hrs
Time of return: 0145hrs

Boats launched: ALB

Reason: The Amble All-weather lifeboat The Four Boys was launched on Friday evening
after receiving a launch request from HM Coastguard to go to the aid of a local
fishing vessel Fidelity which had become entangled in fishing nets and as such
had no propulsion or steering capability.

On this particular occasion, the lifeboat was launched in exceptionally quick time
as the crew had just returned from an exercise and were still assembled in the
boathouse when the initial contact was heard from Fidelity on the radio to the
Coastguard prior to the pagers being activated for a launch. As a result, the crew
anticipated the launch request and were kitted up and back on the boat with engines
running when the formal launch request came through just before 9.00 pm.

The boat set off with best possible speed to the given location which was a point
approximately 22 miles ENE of Amble harbour and upon arrival at the scene, quickly
assessed the situation and the condition of the 3 persons on board. It soon became
apparent that Fidelity was caught up in her own fishing gear and that the only
option was to tow her 22 miles back to the safety of Amble harbour. As the sea was
relatively calm, this was considered the best option.

The tow proceeded without incident and both boats reached Amble harbour at
01.45hrs safe and well. The Four Boys was then refuelled and made ready for
service once again.

RNLI Coxswain John Connell “Fortunately, the sea state and visibility made it a
successful and safe operation in getting Fidelity and her crew back ashore, but
this kind of incident in different weather conditions would be very dangerous as
any boat that finds itself without steering or propulsion in a heavy sea is at the
mercy of the waves which could lead to capsize if the Skipper is unable to respond
due to mechanical failure. Thankfully, this wasn’t the case and our volunteer crew
members carried out a textbook towing operation following our well established
training techniques which are made possible thanks to the generosity of the public in
supporting the RNLI and its work.”

Date: Tuesday 23rd August 2011

Wind: Light - NW 3
Visibility: Good
Sea state: Clam
Time of launch: 1015hrs
Time of return: 1130hrs

Boats launched: ALB + ILB

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Reason: Both of Amble RNLI lifeboats were requested to launch to rescue a man who
had fallen from the North pier at Amble harbour and suffered injuries in the fall
before landing in the sea.

The volunteer crewmembers were paged mid-morning yesterday by HM Coastguard
who had received notification that a middle-aged man had fallen from the North pier
at Amble harbour and in the fall had hit the concrete and rocks which resulted in
receiving received hip and pelvis injuries that were extremely painful.

He had landed in the sea on the North side of the harbour wall and was holding on to
the wall unable to self-assist because of his injuries.

The Inshore lifeboat Mildred Holcroft was first on the scene and the Helmsman
Robert Henderson manoeuvred the boat into position in order that crewman John
Duncan could jump into the sea to assist the casualty and get him into the rescue
craft.

Once on board, it was clear the man had considerable injuries and was in severe
pain and needed to go to hospital as soon as possible.

Fortunately the rescue helicopter from nearby RAF Boulmer was monitoring the
situation and was nearby. The helicopter was able to land near Amble harbour and
the casualty was then transferred over for a speedy journey to hospital.

RNLI Helmsman Robert Henderson went on to say �It was fortunate for both the
casualty and us that the sea was calm during this rescue with little or no swell as we
were operating very close to the harbour wall which can be a treacherous situation
on a poor day. We were able to swiftly extract the casualty and assess his condition
which necessitated a rapid transfer. Thankfully the helicopter was available to
facilitate this.

Date: Sunday 21st August 2011

Wind: Light - NW 3
Visibility: Good
Sea state: Clam
Time of launch: 1130hrs
Time of return: 1240hrs

Boats launched: ALB + ILB

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Reason: Humber Coastguard tasked both Amble Lifeboats from their training exercise after reports were received of a missing swimmer in the Druridge Bay area. The swimmer had not been seen for 20mins by his friend on the shore and it was he who raised the alarm.

With the ILB just arriving on scene, and the ALB close behind it was reported that the swimmer had managed to get back to the beach unaided some distance from where he was last seen.

With no medical assistance required, the Lifeboats were released and returned to station.

Date: Wednesday 17th August 2011

Wind: Light - W 3-4
Visibility: Good
Sea state: Clam
Time of launch: 1425hrs
Time of return: 1500hrs

Boats launched: ALB + ILB

Reason: Humber Coastguard requested the immediate launch of both Amble Lifeboats after reports were received of a woman entering the water at Druridge Bay to go after her dog who was swimming out to sea. At the same time Seaking Helicopter ‘Rescue 131′ from RAF Boulmer was also tasked to the incident as it was on exercise already in the local area.

Reaching the scene first, the helicopter was able to winch the woman and dog to saftey and land them back on the beach to awaiting Coastguards. The Lifeboats, only 10mins after being tasked, were stood down and asked to return to station.

Date: Tuesday 2nd August 2011

Wind: Light - Variable
Visibility: Good
Sea state: Clam
Time of launch: 2100hrs
Time of return: 2145hrs

Boats launched: ILB (tasked from exercise)

Reason: Amble ILB was returning from exercise when the crew came across a 29ft yacht “RUBY-ROO” with 1 person on board that had suffered engine failure at the entrance to Amble Harbour. Humber Coastguard were informed and the yacht was quickly taken under tow and towed into the safety of Amble Marina.

Date: Sunday 10th July 2011

Wind: Light - Variable
Visibility: Good
Sea state: Clam
Time of launch: 1320hrs
Time of return: 1600hrs

Boats launched: ALB

Reason: Amble Lifeboat was requested to launch by Humber Coastguard, after a 25ft angling boat with a party of anglers on board, reported they had a fouled prop and were unable to use their engine just off the entrance to Craster harbour.

Due to the position of the boat, Craster Lifeboat was also launched to attach a tow line, to stop the boat drifting and to start towing it South towards Amble.

Amble Lifeboat met Craster Lifeboat and the casualty just off the coast at Boulmer, where upon the tow was taken up by Amble Lifeboat.

At about 1545hrs, Amble Lifeboat towed the casualty vessel through the piers at Amble, and up into Amble Marina where she was met by staff who helped secure her alongside the fuel pontoon.

Amble Lifeboat then returned to station where she was re-fuellled and made ready for service.

Date: Saturday 18th June 2011

Wind: Light - Variable
Visibility: Good (rain showers)
Sea state: 1m swell
Time of launch: 1900hrs
Time of return: 2030hrs

Boats launched: ALB

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Reason: Amble Lifeboat was requested to launch by Humber Coastguard, after the motor sailing vessel BIANCA D reported mechanical failure 4.2 miles North of Amble, and with very light winds was unable to sail to harbour.

The Lifeboat launched soon after the crew were paged and were quickly on scene. As there was only one person aboard the casualty vessel, one of the Lifeboat crew was put on board to help rig the tow. A tow was established and the vessel was towed back to Amble Marina.

Date: Sunday 12th June 2011

Wind: SE Force 5 and rising
Visibility: Good
Sea state: Moderate
Time of launch: 19.10
Time of return: 20.30

Boats launched: ALB & ILB

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Reason: Both of Amble�s RNLI lifeboats were requested to launch last night by HM Coastguard after the 100 year old Dutch Clipper De Tukker miscalculated the tide and grounded at the harbour entrance. She had tried to enter the harbour at low tide and immediately came to rest on the sandbank at the harbour entrance.

The volunteer crewmembers were paged at 19.05 hrs and immediately launched the All-weather Lifeboat The Four Boys and the fast-response Inshore Lifeboat Mildred Holcroft to the scene.
Due to the considerable size of the vessel which created a significant obstacle and the rising SE wind which would create a swell, it was decided to tow De Tukker off the sandbank and out to deeper and safer water until the tide had risen and she could re-enter the harbour safely.

Mildred Holcroft was used to pass a tow rope across to De Tukker from The Four Boys and the extraction began. All the while, the crews had to be mindful of how close she was to the north wall of the harbour in case she suddenly swung around on her anchor.

The Four Boys then used her considerable towing power to pull De Tukker around in an arc until she was correctly placed for a full power extraction from the sandbank. Once this was safely achieved and it was confirmed that there was no water ingress, she was guided out to deeper water to wait out the tide and advised not to re-attempt the harbour entrance until at least 21.30 hrs that evening.

RNLI Coxswain John Connell went on to say �This was a large and heavy vessel and we were conscious of the rising gale forecast from the south-east which would have made things difficult an hour or two later so the safest option was to take her out of potential danger. Our volunteer crewmembers used their experience, training and knowledge of local waters to ensure this was carried out safely and smoothly�.

Date: Wednesday 1st June 2011

Wind: SW Force 4-5
Visibility: Good
Sea state: Slight
Time of launch: 16.40
Time of return: 17.30

Boats launched: ALB & ILB

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Reason: Both of Amble’s RNLI lifeboats were launched to a Mayday call received from a local sight-seeing vessel Shokwave which had ran aground on rocks at Coquet Island during one of her regular seabird and marine life tours. The vessel had nine persons including children on board as well as the Skipper. Ironically, it was 2 years to the exact day that a similar incident took place with Shokwave in the same location.

The crew were paged at 16.34 hrs by HM Coastguard who had received a Mayday call from the vessel stating that she had ran aground on the rocks and was unable to move or steer. HM Coastguard then requested the immediate launch of both the Amble All-weather lifeboat The Four Boys as well as the D class Inshore lifeboat Mildred Holcroft.

Mildred Holcroft was first on the scene within just a few minutes and after ensuring that no-one was injured, placed a crewman on board to rig a towline as the tide was falling and the longer the delay, the more difficult the extraction would be. During this time, checks were also made to ensure there was no water ingress.

Once the tow line was made secure, Mildred Holcroft then pulled Shokwave clear of the area and towed her out to deeper water where the tow was then transferred across to The Four Boys. From there, she was towed home into the service berth at Amble Boatyard where the passengers were disembarked and she could be lifted out for a hull inspection for any damage caused by the grounding.