Bridlington lifeboat’s first service call of the new year was to assist a fishing vessel with steering issues and in danger of drifting into other vessels anchored off Spurn Point.
At 11.34pm on Friday, January 3, the volunteer crew of the Bridlington RNLI received a tasking from the HM Coastguard requesting an immediate launch of the station’s all-weather lifeboat (ALB), Antony Patrick Jones. It was reported that a 10m fishing vessel with failed steering was requesting assistance.
The fishing vessel, which was located 16 nautical miles north-east of Spurn Point, was in danger of drifting towards other vessels at anchor in the area. The threat of collision was further compounded as strong winds had also been reported in the area.
The ALB, with a crew of five, launched shortly after midnight in freezing conditions, making their way to the stricken vessel, reaching the casualty vessel by 1.30am. Due to the danger to other vessels in the area who were at anchor, it was decided to begin towing the fishing vessel, with a crew of three, back to the safety of Grimsby docks, an operation said to be “completed without any issues”.
The volunteer crew then returned back to Bridlington, reaching the beach at 9.30am. The ALB was washed down, refuelled and back on service by 10.05am.
Bridlington RNLI volunteers recovering the rescue service’s all-weather boat after the incident
(Image: RNLI/Mike Milner)
Andy Rodgers, Bridlington RNLI coxswain, said: “The tasking to assist the fishing vessel in trouble was a great success. We conducted a tow of the vessel to remove it from a potentially dangerous situation after it suffered steering issues.
“The vessel was safely taken into Grimsby docks before we made the passage back to Bridlington. All the crew did a fantastic job once again, which started in the early hours.”
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