WSV's in Difficulty in Moderate North Sea Weather
UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency report Yarmouth Coastguard's response to recent WSV's in distress. Windcat 9 issued a VHF DSC Mayday offshore from Humber and reported that they were taking in water. Yarmouth Coastguard requested the launch of Humber and Cleethorpes RNLI lifeboats and the rescue helicopter from RAF Leconfield. Due to concern that the vessel could be sinking the 15 crew abandoned to another vessel. The rescue helicopter transferred two pumps on board the vessel and lifeboat crew were able to control the ingress of water and towed the vessel to Grimsby. In a separate incident Yarmouth Coastguard requested the launch of Wells and Cromer RNLI lifeboats to the vessel Island Panther following a collision with a tower while working at the wind farm off Sheringham.
U.K. Coastguard Responds to Tug Fire
Yarmouth Coastguard received a radio call from the tug HT Blade, stating they had an engine fire with three crew on board. The Maritime Incident Response Group (MIRG) was activated and Coastguard Rescue teams from Lowestoft, Cromer and Felixstowe were tasked as well as requesting the launch of the Cromer lifeboat to the scene. A Rescue helicopter from RAF Wattisham is transporting the MIRG crew and a cargo vessel 'RMS Riga' is offering assistance in the area.
Yacht in Collision with Ship in Fog
Yarmouth Coastguard received a mayday call from the yacht Whispa reporting that they had been in collision with a commercial vessel 7 miles south east of Lowestoft. The wooden built 45 foot yacht with 2 people on board made the mayday call to the coastguard after being in collision with the 4,000 ton gas carrier Gas Monarch in Fog. The Gas Monarch was carrying a cargo of 2,500 tonnes of propane. The weather at the time of the incident was reported as North West force 2/3 with 0 visibility in fog. Yarmouth Coastguard requested the launch of the Lowestoft RNLI lifeboat to go to the aid of the yacht and the crew. The lifeboat and yacht were met on arrival at Lowestoft by the Lowestoft Coastguard rescue team. The Gas Monarch stood by the yacht Whispa until the arrival of the lifeboat.
