Offshore Lifeboat Service Reports 2001

 

Earl and Countess Mountbatten of Burma 14-01

 
11/01/01 Converted Tug "JOLLY"
 
Launched at 16:07 hrs and returned from service at 19:41 hrs.
Service Area: North of Brake Buoy, 3.1 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind E X N 9, Rough Seas, High Swell, Moderate Visibility.
 
The converted tug "JOLLY" with one person on board called the port control requesting assistance following power failure and in risk of becoming dismasted in the bad weather. HMCG were advised and and AWB launch initiated. The tug "Far Turbot" was also tasked. AWB located "JOLLY" and commenced towing to Dover Harbour. Dover AWB was launched and met AWB at the Harbour entrance to assist in putting "JOLLY" on the berth.
 
20/01/01 Yacht "AELFWYN"
 
Launched at 18:18 hrs and returned from service at 22:10 hrs.
Service Area: SE of Falls Head, 21 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind NW 4, Slight Seas, No Swell, Moderate Visibility.
 
The yacht "AELFWYN" with one person on passage Ostend to Queenborough suffered engine failure and could not sail in light winds. Crew became tired and called HMCG requesting assistance. AWB launch was requested and on arrival the yacht's crew member was taken on board the AWB for warmth and rest whilst the "AELFWYN" was towed in to Ramsgate Harbour.
 
06/03/01 VHF "MAYDAY" CALL
 
Launched at 20:34 hrs and returned from service at 22:34 hrs.
Service Area: Off North Foreland, 3 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind SE force 5, Moderate Seas, Low Swell, Moderate Visibility.
 
HMCG received the one spoken word "Mayday" on VHF Channel 16. This was picked up only by the North Foreland arial. AWB launch was requested, and AWB carried out a search between Ramsgate and North Foreland up to two miles off shore, and then between the Gull Stream and B2 buoys. Nothing was found, and the search was called off.

Esme Anderson 14-02

 
21/04/01 Motor Cruiser "L'ASTERIE"
 
Launched at 12:25 hrs and returned from service at 14:41 hrs.
Service Area: Between NE Spit and Outer Tongue, 11 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind N force 6, Rough Seas, Moderate Swell, Good Visibility.
 
The motor cruiser "L'Asterie" with three persons experienced engine failure (loss of fuel) when on passage Malden to Ramsgate. The crew could not repair the fault and in the prevailing weather, began to suffer seasickness. Vessel called for assistance and HMCG requested launch of the AWB. AWB towed "L'Asterie" in to Ramsgate Harbour.
 
Photo Trevor Boston
 
24/04/01 "OIL SAMPLES"
 
Launched at 09:50 hrs and returned from service at 10:46 hrs.
Service Area: Near CS5 buoy, 16.5 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind ESE force 5, Moderate Seas, Low Swell, Good Visibility.
 
Following a collision between an oil tanker and a French fishing vessel off Dover on the 23rd , HMCG had been monitoring oil pollution in the area. The coastguard tug had collected some oil samples from near the CS5 buoy and these were urgently needed ashore for testing. In view of the urgency, HMCG requested assistance from the AWB, as being the fastest method of getting the samples ashore. Ops room was advised, and AWB proceeded to meet the tug and return the samples to HMCG mobile waiting at Ramsgate.
 
28/04/01 Yacht "MISTER LIFTER"
 
Launched at 16:35 hrs and returned from service at 17:04 hrs.
Service Area: SW of Station, 1.3 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind SW force 7, Rough Seas, Low Swell, Good Visibility.
 
The yacht "Mr Lifter" with 8 persons was dismasted whilst racing off Ramsgate Harbour. The race control called Ramsgate Port Control saying that the yacht needed immediate assistance, and AWB launch was initiated, HMCG being advised. The AWB towed "Mr Lifter" in to Ramsgate Harbour.
 
04/05/01 Yacht "VICTORIA ROSE"
 
Launched at 15:50 hrs and returned from service at 16:34 hrs.
Service Area: Ramsgate Channel, 1.6 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind NE force 6, Rough Seas, Low Swell, Good Visibility.
 
The Yacht "Victoria Rose", with two persons sent out a MAYDAY call on VHF, after running aground south of Ramsgate. HMCG requested launch and Helicopter was tasked. Both lifeboats proceeded to the casualty and the "Victoria Rose" was towed off the sands and back in to Ramsgate.
 
05/05/01 Yacht "VIVACIOUS"
 
Launched at 04:36 hrs and returned from service at 08:43 hrs.
Service Area: Goodwin Sands, 4.5 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind N X E force 7, Rough Seas, Low Swell, Good Visibility.
 
The yacht "Vivacious" with three persons, broadcast a MAYDAY call on VHF after running aground on the Goodwin Sands. HMCG requested lifeboat launch, and both lifeboats proceeded. The three persons were taken on board the AWB and the Lifeboats then stood by "Vivacious" until she refloated on the tide. AWB then towed casualty in to Ramsgate.
 
17/06/01 Yacht "TEMPLEBOY"
 
Launched at 08:42 hrs and returned from service at 09:32 hrs.
Service Area: Off Northforland, 3.2 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind NW force 6, Moderate Seas, Low Swell, Good Visibility.
 
The yacht "Templeboy" with five persons on board called HMCG after being dismasted off Northforland. AWB launch was requested, and AWB towed "Templeboy" in to Ramsgate Harbour.
 
23/06/01 Motor Yacht "KIND OF MAGIC"
 
Launched at 22:38 hrs and returned from service at 23:13 hrs.
Service Area: Brake Sands, 3 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind NE force 4, Slight Seas, Low Swell, Good Visibility.
 
Motor Yacht "Kind Of Magic", with three persons, called HMCG saying he was aground on the Brake Sands, 3 miles south of Ramsgate, and asked for assistance. Launch of both lifeboats was requested. On arrival on scene it was found that the casualty had refloated itself. AWB escorted the "Kind Of Magic" out of the shallow water, and in to Ramsgate Harbour.
 
26/06/01 Motor Yacht "AMERELLA"
 
Launched at 15:55 hrs and returned from service at 16:40 hrs.
Service Area: 3 miles south of Ramsgate, 3 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind NE force 5, Moderate Seas, Moderate Swell, Moderate Visibility.
 
The Motor Yacht "Amerella" had requested assistance when taking water off Deal, and the Walmer ILB had launched to her aid. Having taken the three crew off "Amerella" the Walmer ILB commenced towing her to Ramsgate. However, it became apparent that the craft was in danger of sinking, and after discussion with HMCG, it was decided to launch the Ramsgate AWB, with her salvage pump to assist. AWB put the pump and four crew on to the Casualty, and took over the tow from the Walmer ILB. The casualty was kept afloat by pumping, and towed into Ramsgate Harbour to be placed on the eastern hard, whilst Walmer ILB Landed the three casualty crew.
 
07/07/01 Yacht "BATEAU IVRE"
 
Launched at 11:26 hrs and returned from service at 14:02 hrs.
Service Area: Near South Falls, 12 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind NW force 2, Slight Seas, No Swell, Moderate Visibility.
 
The Dutch yacht "Bateau Ivre", with two persons, suffered engine breakdown near the South Falls Buoy. With insufficient wind to sail, the yacht called HMCG for assistance. AWB launch was requested, and the "Bateau Ivre" was towed in to Ramsgate Harbour.
 
10/07/01 Yacht "CAROUSEL"
 
Launched at 18:12 hrs and returned from service at 21:56 hr.
Service Area: Near Falls Head, 19 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind SW force 7, Rough Seas, Low Swell, Good Visibility.
 
The yacht "Carousel", with three persons was disabled in rough seas, with a fouled propeller. The yacht called HMCG requesting assistance, and AWB launch was requested. The AWB took "Carousel" in tow, in to Ramsgate Harbour.
 
20/07/01 Yacht "SOUTHERN BREEZE"
 
Launched at 07:53 hrs and returned from service at 11:55 hrs.
Service Area: NE of the Falls Head, 23 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind WNW force 6, Rough Seas, Low Swell, Good Visibility.
 
The yacht "Southern Breeze" with four persons on board had suffered damage to her rigging in bad weather. After a night attempting to make port, running low on fuel, and the crew becoming very tired, the yacht contacted HMCG, asking for assistance. AWB launch was requested, and the AWB towed "Southern Breeze" in to Ramsgate Harbour.
 
Photo from my collection
 
31/07/01 Motor Yacht "WYNEFREDE"
 
Launched at 14:44 hrs and returned from service at 17:33 hrs.
Service Area: Near Falls Head, 18.5 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind SE force 1, Slight Seas, No Swell, Good Visibility.
 
HMCG requested launch of the AWB to the motor yacht "Wynnfrede", with 3 persons, which had suffered gearbox failure whilst near the Falls Head and had requested assistance. AWB towed "Wynnfrede" in to Ramsgate.
 
04/08/01 Yacht "CLASSIC"
 
Launched at 15:56 hrs and returned from service at 19:38 hrs.
Service Area: NE of NE Goodwin Buoy, 7.5 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind SW force 6, Moderate Seas, Low Swell, Good Visibility.
 
HMCG requested launch of the AWB to the motor yacht "Classic", with two persons which had lost engine power off the NE Goodwin buoy. AWB proceeded, but on arrival on scene, the "Classic" had managed to restart his engine, and was able to proceed to Ramsgate under his own power. The AWB was then diverted to assist in the search for the missing swimmer off Walmer (see ILB service), returning at 1938 after the search was called off.
 
19/08/01 Yacht "ROSEANNE"
 
Launched at 13:07 hrs and returned from service at 13:28 hrs.
Service Area: North Breakwater (Turning Circle), 0 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind SSW force 8, Rough Seas, No Swell, Good Visibility.
 
See ILB account of this service.
 
11/09/01 Yacht "CALYBA"
 
Launched at 18:46 hrs and returned from service at 21:26 hrs.
Service Area: South Falls, 11.5 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind WNW force 3, Slight Seas, Moderate Swell, Good Visibility.
 
The yacht "Calyba", with two persons, had engine failure off Dunquerque and continued on towards Ramsgate under sail. One crew became seasick and the other became tired and HMCG, who were monitoring the situation, eventually decided to request a lifeboat launch. AWB proceeded and towed "Calyba" in to Ramsgate.
 
16/09/01 "Yacht NANCY BLACKETT"
 
Launched at 14:33 hrs and returned from service at 15:12 hrs.
Service Area: Near Ramsgate Approach Buoy, 3.2 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind NW force 6, Moderate Seas, Moderate Swell, Good Visibility.
 
The yacht "Nancy Blackett", with three persons on board experienced engine failure on passage to Ramsgate. At the Approach Buoy, the skipper decided he needed assistance due to weather conditions and with one crew ill and himself near exhaustion. HMCG were advised and AWB launch initiated. AWB took "Nancy Blackett" in tow to Ramsgate harbour.
 
22/09/01 Trawler "ZILVERMEEUW"
 
Launched at 12:16 hrs and returned from service at 12:40 hrs.
Service Area: Near Elbow Buoy, 6.5 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind N X W force 2, Slight Seas, No Swell, Good Visibility.
 
The Belgian Trawler "Zilvermeeuw" called the Ramsgate Port Control, saying they had a crew member with a head injury who needed medical assistance. HMCG were contacted and AWB launch initiated, and ambulance also being called. Upon arrival it was found that the crew member was not incapacitated and he was therefore taken on board the lifeboat and landed to the ambulance at Ramsgate.
 
25/09/01 Converted Fishing Boat "TWO BROTHERS"
 
Launched at 06:02 hrs and returned from service at 11:13 hrs.
Service Area: Near North Falls, 27 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind Calm, Calm Seas, Low Swell, Good Visibility.
 
The converted fishing vessel "Two Brothers" with three persons on board and on passage Rotterdam to London ran out of fuel when 27 miles NE of Ramsgate. "Two Brothers" called the coastguard requesting assistance and after ascertaining that there was no nearer assistance available, HMCG requested launch of the AWB, fearing problems as the casualty drifted in the approach to the shipping lanes. AWB launched and towed the "Two Brothers" in to Ramsgate Harbour.
 
21/10/01 Yacht "GYPSYGIRL"
 
Launched at 12:29 hrs and returned from service at 15:27 hrs.
Service Area: South of Drill Stones, 13.5 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind WSW force 6, Rough Seas, No Swell, Moderate Visibility.
 
The yacht "Gypsy Girl" with 3 persons on board called Ramsgate Port Control after failing to raise Dover MRCC, initially to report a torn mainsail and slow progress towards Ramsgate. Shortly afterwards, the yacht called to advise of a torn jib sail and engine failure, and requesting assistance.
 
AWB launch was initiated and HMCG advised. AWB took "Gypsy Girl" in tow to Ramsgate.
 
07/12/0 Barge "JANNETTE"
 
Launched at 22:16 hrs and returned from service at 23:56 hrs.
Service Area: NE of the East Goodwin Buoy, 8 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind SE force 3, Slight Seas, No Swell, Good Visibility.
 
The barge "Jannette" with two persons on board called for assistance after experiencing engine failure off the East Goodwin buoy. HMCG requested launch of the AWB, which proceeded to tow "Jannette" in to Ramsgate Harbour.
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