53 - 10/08/2011 25ft Bayliner
14-02 ''Esme Anderson'' ON1197
Launched at 07:55 hrs. and returned from Service at 10:00 hrs.
Service Area :- Thanet Offshore Windfarm, Bearing 031 degrees - 10.2 nautical miles from Station.
Weather :- Wind W force 3-4, Moderate Seas, Low Swell, Very Good visibility.
AWB tasked a 25ft Bayliner with engine failure, off the Thanet Offshore
Windfarm with 1 elderly person on board. AWB towed casualty into Royal Harbour.
51 - 07/08/2011 Cabin Cruiser
14-02 ''Esme Anderson'' ON1197
Launched at 13:54 hrs. and returned from Service at 14:30 hrs.
Service Area :- Quern Bouy.
Weather :- Wind SW force 6, Moderate Seas, Moderate Swell, Good visibility.
AWB tasked to a cabin cruiser with steering failure 2 miles East of Ramsgate with 4 POB. On
arrival at the Quern Bouy the casualty was making his own way into Ramsgate using his 2 engines
to steer and requested the AWB escorted him in. Once inside the turning circle he lost his
starboard engine, making manoeuvering impossible and was towed in by the Lifeboat.
49 - 05/08/2011 Fishing Vessel
14-02 ''Esme Anderson'' ON1197
Launched at 13:20 hrs. and returned from Service at 14:30 hrs.
Service Area :- Bearing 140 degrees - 2.2 nautical miles from Station.
Weather :- Wind S force 3, Slight Seas, Low Swell, Good visibility.
AWB tasked to a local fishing boat 2.2 Miles off Ramsgate with a fouled prop. AWB towed
casualty into harbour.
48 - 05/08/2011 Motor Cruiser
14-02 ''Esme Anderson'' ON1197
Launched at 10:20 hrs. and returned from Service at 11:00 hrs.
Service Area :- Bearing 043 degrees - 41.7 nautical miles from Station.
Weather :- Wind S force 2, Slight Seas, Low Swell, Good visibility.
AWB tasked a motor cruiser giving a Mayday 41 miles off Ramsgate with engine
failure. AWB launched but was stood down as the casualty had managed to restart engines and
make way to the Belgian Coast.
47 - 04/08/2011 33ft Dutch Yacht
14-02 ''Esme Anderson'' ON1197
Launched at 11:34 hrs. and returned from Service at 12:21 hrs.
Service Area :- Bearing 055 degrees - 3 nautical miles from Station.
Weather :- Wind SSW force 5, Moderate Seas, Moderate Swell, Fair visibility.
AWB tasked a 33ft Dutch yacht with collapsed mast, 2 adults, 3 children on board, on
passage to Ramsgate. AWB towed casualty into Ramsgate Harbour.
45 - 26/07/2011 41ft Yacht
14-02 ''Esme Anderson'' ON1197
Launched at 21:27 hrs. and returned from Service at 21:57 hrs.
Service Area :- Bearing 062 degrees - 2.6 nautical miles from Station.
Weather :- Wind NW force 3, Slight Seas, Low Swell, Good visibility.
AWB tasked to a 41ft Sailing boat with no battery power, unable to start engine and unable to sail
into harbour. AWB took casualty under tow and brought it into Ramsgate Harbour. 2 Persons
on board.
40 - 10/07/2011 50ft Dutch Yacht
14-02 ''Esme Anderson'' ON1197
Launched at 11:34 hrs. and returned from Service at 16:03 hrs.
Service Area :- North Falls, Bearing 055 degrees - 28 nautical miles from Station.
AWB tasked to a 50ft Dutch yacht with fuel contamination 28 miles NE of
Ramsgate with 3 persons on board. AWB towed casualty back to Ramsgate.
39 - 07/07/2011 Life Ring
14-02 ''Esme Anderson'' ON1197
Launched at 15:30 hrs. and returned from Service at 17:30 hrs.
Service Area :- Thanet Wind Farm, Bearing 057 degrees - 6.6 nautical miles from Station.
Weather :- Wind SW force 4, Slight Seas, Low Swell, Good visibility.
The Thanet Windfarm Guardship Bianca found a Life Ring and reported it to Dover Coastguard.
AWB launched and carried out an extensive search in the area that the Life Ring was picked up.
Nothing was found so AWB retrieved Life Ring from Bianca and returned to station.
38 - 05/07/2011 7.5m Belgian Fishing RIB
14-02 ''Esme Anderson'' ON1197
Launched at 16:53 hrs. and returned from Service at 20:30 hrs.
Service Area :- F3 Bouy, Bearing 073 degrees - 24 nautical miles from Station.
Weather :- Wind E force 1, Calm Seas, Low Swell, Good visibility.
AWB tasked to a 7.5m Belgian fishing RIB with engine failure. On arriving on scene the RIB was
found to be alongside a 133m Merchant ship with the 3 crew onboard the Merchant ship. The 3
crew were requested to return to their RIB, whereby the AWB towed them clear of the Merchant
ship. Once clear the 3 crew were taken aboard the AWB and a prop per tow way fashioned in
order to tow the casualty RIB back to Ramsgate.
37 - 01/07/2011 Yacht
14-02 ''Esme Anderson'' ON1197
Launched at 13:35 hrs. and returned from Service at 14:40 hrs.
Service Area :- East Brake, Bearing 087 degrees - 2.3 nautical miles from Station.
Weather :- Wind E force 2, Slight Seas, Nil Swell, Very Good visibility.
AWB tasked to yacht with an overheating engine. On arrival at scene they had
managed to get engine running again so it was decided to escort them in as a precaution.
36 - 29/06/2011 Yacht
1197 ''Esme Anderson''
Launched at 22:30 hrs. and returned from Service at 22:58 hrs.
Service Area :- River Stour Entrance.
Weather :- Wind NW force 2, Slight Seas, Low Swell, Good visibility.
ILB tasked to a yacht that went seal watching in the river entrance and ran aground during the
day. Casualty awaited the tide to refloat but found to be taking in water which went over the
batteries. Once on scene the ILB transferred one crewmember onboard with the salvage pump
and pumped as much water out as possible. They then took the yacht under tow, but were
concerned about the ingress of water and requested the assistance of the AWB. When AWB
arrived on scene, the yacht was just managing to keep the level of water under control so the
AWB escorted them into the harbour.
34 - 27/06/2011 Man Overboard
14-02 ''Esme Anderson'' ON1197
Launched at 09:35 hrs. and returned from Service at 16:10 hrs.
Service Area :- Between F3 & Sandette, Bearing 082 degrees - 20 nautical miles from Station.
Weather :- Wind E force 1, Calm Seas, Nil Swell, Good visibility.
AWB launched to assist French Coastguard in searching for a man overboard, lost between
02:24 and 04:30 from a Turkish container ship. AWB was called for due to Engine failure on one
of the French Lifeboats. Extensive search carried out but nothing found.
32 - 20/06/2011 40ft Yacht
14-02 ''Esme Anderson'' ON1197
Launched at 15:25 hrs. and returned from Service at 16:50 hrs.
Service Area :- Off Kingsgate, Bearing degrees - nautical miles from Station.
Weather :- Wind SE force 2, Slight Seas, Low Swell, Good visibility.
AWB tasked to a 40ft yacht with 3 persons onboard, with fuel problems. Casualty
flagged the Estuary Ward down at Kingsgate requesting assistance. Pilot boat contacted Port
Control and AWB was launched. Casualty was towed into Ramsgate, where the casualty was
able to make his own way to the fuel barge.
31 - 20/06/2011 27ft Yacht
14-02 ''Esme Anderson'' ON1197
Launched at 10:36 hrs. and returned from Service at 11:45 hrs.
Service Area :- South of NE Goodwin, Bearing 100 degrees - 5.3 nautical miles from Station.
Weather :- Wind ENE force 2, Calm Seas, Nil Swell, Good visibility.
AWB tasked to a yacht with 2 persons onboard, with engine failure, unable to make
way. AWB took casualty under tow and brought it into the harbour.
28 - 15/06/2011 Fishing Vessel
14-02 ''Esme Anderson'' ON1197
Launched at 21:40 hrs. and returned from Service at 22:10 hrs.
Service Area :- Main Beach, Bearing degrees - nautical miles from Station.
Weather :- Wind SSW force 2, Slight Seas, Low Swell, Good visibility.
AWB tasked to the local fishing vessel with intermittent fuel problems. AWB met
casualty off the main beach and escorted it into turning circle, where it broke down again. AWB
tied vessel alongside and towed it to its normal berth in the harbour.
26 - 04/06/2011 17ft Dory
14-02 ''Esme Anderson'' ON1197
Launched at 05:48 hrs. and returned from Service at 07:12 hrs.
Weather :- Wind NE force 4, Slight Seas, Low Swell, Good visibility.
AWB launched to a 17ft Dory with 2 males on board that left Sandwich heading for Faversham. First report from Police dog handler who was concerned for their safety due to weather conditions. Estuary guide was in the area and advised them of the danger and stood by until AWB arrived on scene. AWB gave further advice by mobile phone and persuaded casualty to return to Ramsgate harbour. AWB escorted casualty in case things turned bad.
24 - 24/05/2011 28ft Sailing Yacht
14-02 ''Esme Anderson'' ON1197
Launched at 13:15 hrs. and returned from Service at 15:55 hrs.
Service Area :- Bearing 100 degrees - 10 nautical miles from Station.
Weather :- Wind SW force 6, Moderate Seas, Moderate Swell, Good visibility.
AWB tasked to the 28ft yacht with engine failure and unable to make way under sail. AWB took casualty under tow and brought it into harbour.
18 - 27/04/2011 140m Cargo Vessel
14-02 ''Esme Anderson'' ON1197
Launched at 19:42 hrs. and returned from Service at 21:05 hrs.
Service Area :- 1 mile East from Broadstairs
Weather :- Wind NE force 7, Rough Seas, High Swell, Fair visibility.
AWB tasked to a 140m cargo vessel with engine failure 1 mile East from Broadstairs and
drifting due to anchor not holding. AWB stood by until casualty got engine running again.
Casualty hauled in anchor and made way off shoreline. Once clear AWB returned to station.
15 - 23/04/2011 50ft Motor Launch
14-02 ''Esme Anderson'' ON1197
Launched at 19:34 hrs. and returned from Service at 21:50 hrs.
Weather :- Calm Seas, Low Swell, Good visibility.
AWB tasked again to a 50ft Motor Launch with machinery failure again. 1
crewmember put aboard casualty and started to escort vessel towards harbour, but after a
while took under tow.
14 - 22/04/2011 50 ft Motor Launch
14-02 ''Esme Anderson'' ON1197
Launched at 16:30 hrs. and returned from Service at 17:30 hrs.
Service Area :- Bearing 125 degrees - 2.8 nautical miles from Station.
Weather :- Calm Seas, Low Swell, Good visibility.
AWB tasked to a 50ft Motor Launch with engine failure. AWB towed casualty
into harbour.
13 - 17/04/2011 41ft Catamaran
14-02 ''Esme Anderson'' ON1197
Launched at 21:35 hrs. and returned from Service at 23:35 hrs.
AWB tasked to a £300,000 41ft Catamaran severely damaged by a commercial vessel in the harbour. The casualty was making water fast so the AWB used its salvage pump to pump
out as much of the water as possible. The lifeboat crew then placed 45 gallon drums on the
bow of the catamaran and filled them with water using our salvage pump, in order to try and
raise the damaged stern clear of the water. On further investigation it was found that some of the water was coming in through the saildrive seal and so it was decided to leave the
casualty alongside the pontoon with one of the harbours automatic pumps on board. The crew
of the catamaran remained onboard in order to keep watch on the water level and to make
sure the pump was keeping up with the incoming water. A mobile crane was arranged for the
morning to lift the catamaran out as it was too beamy for the harbour hoist.
12 - 10/04/2011 38 ft Yacht
14-02 ''Esme Anderson'' ON1197
Launched at 16:28 hrs. and returned from Service at 17:25 hrs.
AWB Launched to a 38ft yacht with engine failure and unable to make way into
harbour. AWB took yacht under tow and towed it into inner marina, back onto its berth.
10 - 07/04/2011 Russian Cargo Ship
14-02 ''Esme Anderson'' ON1197
Launched at 09:40 hrs. and returned from Service at 11:20 hrs.
Service Area :- Bearing 072 degrees - 21.8 nautical miles from Station.
Weather :- Wind NW force 3, Slight Seas, Low Swell, Very Good visibility.
AWB Tasked to a Russian Cargo vessel with a crewman suffering from an infected leg.
Casualty transferred to AWB and taken to Ramsgate where he was met by an awaiting
ambulance.
08 - 18/03/2011 24 ft Sailing Yacht
14-02 ''Esme Anderson'' ON1197
Launched at 21:20 hrs. and returned from Service at 22:30 hrs.
Service Area :- Bearing 067 degrees - 2.1 nautical miles from Station.
Weather :- Wind NE force 4, Moderate Seas, Moderate Swell, Good visibility.
AWB Tasked to a 24 foot yacht with 3 persons onboard, 2 miles off Ramsgate
with engine failure. Unable to make headway into harbour accepted tow, and towed into
Royal Harbour.
07 - 14/03/2011 Guard Vessel
14-02 ''Esme Anderson'' ON1197
Launched at 22:39 hrs. and returned from Service at 00:02 hrs.
Service Area :- Bearing 073 degrees - 8.75 nautical miles from Station.
Weather :- Wind NE force 4, Slight Seas, Low Swell, Nil visibility.
AWB launched to the assistance of a wind farm guard vessel with a fouled
propeller. Took under tow and brought vessel into harbour.
06 - 14/03/2011 Belgian Trawler
14-02 ''Esme Anderson'' ON1197
Launched at 14:55 hrs. and returned from Service at 15:43 hrs.
Service Area :- Bearing 076 degrees - 5.82 nautical miles from Station.
Weather :- Wind NE force 4, Slight Seas, Low Swell, Nil visibility.
Launch requested to the assistance of a Belgian Trawler with an injured crewman on board,
suffering from severe back pain and breathing difficulties. Casualty was placed in our
stretcher for transferred to the AWB where medical treatment was administered. On arrival
at the harbour, casualty was handed over to the awaiting Paramedics.
05 - 26/02/2011 26M Survey Vessel
14-02 ''Esme Anderson'' ON1197
Launched at 12:43 hrs. and returned from Service at 13:14 hrs.
Service Area :- Bearing 077 degrees - 4.1 nautical miles from Station.
Weather :- Wind WNW force 5, Moderate Seas, Moderate Swell, Fair visibility.
Attend 26 meter Survey Vessel at NW Goodwin. Escorted into harbour and
assisted with getting on berth.
01 - 16/01/2011 Training Yacht
14-02 ''Esme Anderson'' ON1197
Launched at 13:40 hrs. and returned from Service at 19:15 hrs.
Service Area :- North Sand Head, Bearing 120 degrees - 4.5 nautical miles from Station.
Weather :- Wind SSW force 7, Moderate Seas, Moderate Swell, Very Good visibility.
A 37ft yacht, with five persons on board, ran aground on the Goodwin Sands.
ILB and AWB both Launched to assist. On scene it was found to be hard aground. An
attempt was made by the ILB to get to the yacht but due to the breaking surf & lack of water it was aborted. It was decided to sit at anchor and await the tide, After working out the
time the yacht would refloat (in darkness), the fact of the weather conditions & wind over
tide it was decided to request the persons be airlifted from the yacht in daylight. Casualties
airlifted by RAF rescue 125 and landed at Manston. Due to the time factor it was decided to
anchor in position until the yacht floats. Vessel plotted on radar and once it started to move
the ILB was sent in to try and get a line on the yacht. On the second attempt through broken
water the ILB was able to pull the yacht into deeper water. Observation from the AWB was that the yacht was making water fast. It was decided that it was unsafe to put crew &
salvage pump aboard and the yacht quickly sank. ILB released the tow and attached ILB
anchor to the towing line. Both boats then returned to station, but after a short time the Coast Guard requested that the AWB go back to the yacht as an EPIRB had been activated, in an
attempt to retrieve it. Unable to retrieve it due to it being in the cabin, lifeboats returned to
station.
Photo Clive Nicholls