Thurs 13 March 2003

The All Weather Lifeboat was paged at 0545 to go to the assistance of a fishing vessel (FV) that had suffered steering gear failure in the East Looe Channel. It was reported as being at anchor but dragging from it's position. It was quite a large FV and required the ALB and not the smaller Inshore Lifeboat. It was important to get to the FV quickly as the East Looe Channel is narrow and bounded by the rocks and groynes at Sandbanks on one side and Hook Sands on the other. The ALB had crewed up and arrived on scene by 0610. It was choppy enough for the Coxswain to decide not to come alongside to pass a tow as that would have risked damage to the boats. He manoeuvred close to the FV's bow and the lifeboat crew threw the towline to the Master of the FV. Although the Master caught the towline, he did manage to overbalance and fall into the sea! As he held fast onto the towline, he was quickly pulled from the water and looked after in the warmth of the ALB cabin. The tow was passed to the single remaining FV crewman and the ALB towed it away from danger and into Poole Harbour. Once in the sheltered water just inside Poole Harbour entrance James Haw and Simon Mumford transferred over to the FV to back up the FV crewman.

ALB Crew
Jon Clark - Coxswain, Andy Elton, Danny Hawkes, James Haw, Mike Haw, and Simon Mumford.