Launch Stories

27th September - B808 launched for a snagged cabin cruiser

A crew formed quickly in the boathouse and we where all kitted up in our gear in next to no time, this was the second shout of the day and pretty much identical in detail to the previous one. Nic asked Bill if we could launch and he agreed. Although this was not an emergency call we had arrived at the boathouse so quickly and the training clicked in so automatically that we were entering the water before each of us had given it a second thought. I was writing down the crew numbers on the note pad placed in between my knees. I was in the radio seat and I used the time between running down the beach and entering the water to ask everyone’s crew numbers.

The Coastguard records these numbers once we are afloat and it seemed sensible to take them down now. I also had a gps co-ordinate for the casualty on a scrap of paper that I tucked into the notepad pouch and I was debating about putting them into our plotter, once a float it would be difficult to programme in a speeding boat. The conditions were excellent, visibility well over 5 nautical miles if hazy beyond that and the sea state slight. Jim reminded me of the retaining rope that prevents the boat from slipping off the trailer as we dropped down the beach. I’d pointed out this to other people in the past and it just goes to show that you need to look out for each other and just do a double check. Chances are that I would have remembered in time.

The tide was nearing low water but not quite and the beach stretched out before us. Nic pushed the throttles forward and started heading south almost immediately out of the trailer. I dropped the call into the Coastguard announcing our launch, passed crew list and then was given further information. I checked the lat/long coordinates again and switched over to channel 67, the inshore waters safety channel. On calling up the casualty they confirmed their position in relation to the land. It was quite clear were we would find them easily, there were very few boats in the vicinity to make our search complicated, if it had been busier then the plotter would have been invaluable.

The target was in view as we reached Kingsdown and we were on scene within 5 minutes or so. I informed the Coastguard that we were on scene as soon as we knew more we would inform them. The cabin cruiser maintained a course across our bow as we approached, but was not moving, quite an unusual aspect to hold for any length of time.

The reason became obvious fairly quickly with a quick word with the captain. He confirmed that he had not moved since getting his propeller entangled. He had run over a line in the water and the boat was now stuck fast stern to tide, his attempts to free his boat had come to nothing. Nic positioned us along side once we had surveyed the water immediately around the vessel, no lines could be seen, but it was obvious that a line of some description was holding the boat fast to the NE. We tied off along side and Nic put Andrew in the water and me on the boat with a lifeline to Andrew. Andrew would try to work out what was holding the boat fast, whilst I helped if necessary from the casualty vessel. Although Andrew was unable to untangle the line, he was able to cut it instead and soon the boat was drifting with the tide.

Once Andrew was back on board Nic manoeuvred both boats out of the way of a set out pot markers down tide before the casualty vessel tried starting its motors. Although one engine operated correctly, one did not and had obviously been damaged by the actions of the skipper trying to untangle himself.

Nic recommended to the skipper that the cabin cruiser head back to Dover were the boat could be looked over. The poor water visibility prevented us from seeing whether there was more line attached waiting to foul the second.

It was prudent that we escort the vessel back to Dover and the inner harbour, Jim led the way in the Atlantic. Jim and I made use of the relatively slow cruise to Dover to brush up on our local knowledge whilst Andrew stayed with our ailing companion.

Dover port authority gave us a priority entry through the eastern entrance and we made our way round to the marina. We were able to pick up a number of Matt’s classroom items from the previous Tuesday evening lecture. Soon the vessel was back at the gates of the inner marina and we left our charge having taken the opportunity to tie off along side the Dover Lifeboat pontoon, something that we only get to do occasionally.

Kindly the skipper thanked us and gave us a donation for the RNLI. We bid him farewell and better luck next time. It was my turn to helm out of the harbour and then handed over to Andrew for the last stint from St Margaret’s to Walmer. We put the boat away after being out for the best part of two hours. Nic was very pleased with our teamwork and it was nice to receive some thanks for it. It was a good job and the conditions has been particularly kind.

 

Article by Dave Mitchell