Inshore Lifeboat Service Reports 2000
 

Ramsgate Enterprise B 558

 
07/01/00 Small Motor Boat "IONA"
 
Launched at 15:42 hrs and returned from service at 15:55 hrs.
Service Area: Stour River Mouth, 02.0 miles from station.
Weather: Wind SW 6, Rough Seas, Low Swell, Good Visibility.
 
HMCG requested launch of the ILB following a mobile telephone call from a small motor boat with one person, somewhere in the mouth of the Stour. ILB found the casualty, which had suffered a fouled propeller, and was aground in the river. The falling tide prevented the ILB approaching the casualty. Having confirmed that all was well with the casualty crew, ILB returned to station.
 
07/01/00 Small Motor Boat "IONA"
 
Launched at 21:25 hrs and returned from service at 22:12 hrs.
Service Area: Stour River , 02.0 miles from station.
Weather: Wind SW 7, Rough Seas, Low Swell, Good Visibility.
 
HMCG requested launch of the ILB to the small boat aground in the Stour to be present when the boat refloated. This followed concern as to the status of the casualty, and lack of communication. ILB stood by as the boat floated, and then towed it up to Sandwich Quay. 
 
17/02/00 Motor Boat
 
Launched at 11:40 hrs and returned from service at 12:30 hrs.
Service Area: River Stour, 03.0 miles from station.
Weather: Wind NNW 5, Moderate Seas No Swell, Good Visibility.
 
A small (Unnamed) speedboat, with two adults and a child on board, called HMCG saying that the boat was aground in the river Stour and needed assistance. ILB launched and on arrival found the boat high and dry. ILB crew assisted the persons from the casualty to get safely ashore, and then returned to station.
 
18/02/00 Motor Boat
 
Launched at 11:10 hrs and returned from service at 11:38 hrs.
Service Area: River Stour, 03.0 miles from station.
Weather: Wind W 6, Moderate Seas Low Swell, Good Visibility.
 
The unnamed speedboat which had been aground in the river (see service report above) was refloated by the owners, but suffered engine failure. The owners called for assistance direct to Ramsgate Harbour and an ILB launch was initiated, HMCG being informed. The ILB towed the speedboat, with two teenage crew members, into Ramsgate Harbour.
 
06/04/00 Report of Boat in Trouble
 
Launched at 22:56 hrs and returned from service at 23:28 hrs.
Service Area: Dumpton Gap, 01.0 miles from station.
Weather: Wind ENE 6, Moderate Seas, Low Swell, Good Visibility.
 
HMCG requested launch of the ILB following a 999 call from a MoP reporting having heard people calling for help from a small boat about 100 yards offshore at Dumpton Gap. ILB searched area and nothing found. Meanwhile HMCG traced the telephone box from which the call was made and found this to be well inland. The call was classified as a hoax.
 
19/05/00 Local Fishing Vessel "MONTY"
 
Launched at 10:06 hrs and returned from service at 10:28 hrs.
Service Area: Pegwell Bay, 02.0 miles from station.
Weather: Wind WSW 5, Slight Seas, Low Swell, Good Visibility.
 
The local fishing vessel "Monty" was fishing in Pegwell Bay, with one person. The Port Control received a garbled message on VHF Channel 14, but recognised the words "Monty" and "Seriously Injured". Port Control knew where "Monty" was and an ILB launch was initiated. HMCG were advised and they suggested that an ambulance was called. Port Control called the ambulance and arranged for Harbour Staff to be on hand to direct it to the right landing place.
On arrival at the casualty, ILB found the crewman on "Monty" severely injured after his clothing had become entangled in the propeller drive shaft. Very severe injuries to one arm and the side of the man's face were apparent, with large loss of blood resulting. ILB crew went on board "Monty" and whilst crewmen Vince Marsh and Colin Wimbush commenced first aid and helmsman Paul Cannon bought lifejackets and equipment from the ILB to secure the man, crewman Phil Mace got "Monty" under way towards the Harbour, as it was considered the injured man was too badly hurt to be moved at this stage.
In view of the injured man being in severe pain, the ILB then returned to Station to pick up the Entonox kit from the AWB and there found paramedics had already arrived at the Harbour. The paramedics were taken out to "Monty" on the ILB and took over medical control of the crewman.
When "Monty" was in the harbour and after more treatment on board, the injured man was removed to hospital for surgery.
Subsequently, the fisherman's arm was saved by extensive surgery but unfortunately he lost the sight of one eye.
The Ambulance Service commended the ILB crew on the handling of the situation, and it is likely that the whole teamwork effort, from Port Control to ILB crew and Ambulance in fact saved this man's life.
 
23/05/00 Yacht "VENTURA"
 
Launched at 15:06 hrs and returned from service at 15:21 hrs.
Service Area: Harbour - South Breakwater, 00.0 miles from station.
Weather: Wind SW 8/9, Very Seas, Low Swell, Moderate Visibility.
 
See AWB account of this Service.
 
Photo Ray Noble
 
19/06/00 Boys on Rear Lead Beacon
 
Launched at 15:22 hrs and returned from service at 15:32 hrs.
Service Area: Back of New Port, 00.0 miles from station.
Weather: Wind SW 4, Slight Seas, No Swell, Good Visibility.
 
HMCG requested launch of the ILB following MoP report of three boys apparently in difficulties climbing the ladder on the Ramsgate Approach Channel rear lead beacon. On arrival ILB found boys claiming to have gone to the ladder after getting cramp whilst swimming and unable to regain shore. ILB landed boys to Undercliff groyne, where they were met by HMCG mobile patrol.
 
26/06/00 Unnamed Dinghy
 
Launched at 15:50 hrs and returned from service at 16:33 hrs.
Service Area: Off Ramsgate, 05.0 miles from station.
Weather: Wind SE 3, Moderate Seas, Low Swell, Good Visibility.
 
HMCG received a report from a passing yacht of a dinghy adrift, with no persons on board. Coastguard requested a launch of the ILB, in case any persons might have been involved. On arrival ILB crew found that there was no equipment on board the dinghy and its state was such that it had evidently come adrift from a mooring or beach. ILB towed the dinghy in to Ramsgate Harbour.
 
01/07/00 Outboard Motor Boat "SEA DUCK"
 
Launched at 14:39 hrs and returned from service at 15:04 hrs.
Service Area: Pegwell Bay.
Weather: Wind SE 2, Slight Seas, No Swell, Good Visibility.
 
The Outboard motor boat "SEA DUCK, with two persons, called HMCG requesting assistance after having engine failure whilst off the River Stour Entrance. ILB launch was requested, and ILB towed the "SEA DUCK" in to Ramsgate.
 
01/07/00 Motor Yacht "CARVINE"
 
Launched at 15:41 hrs and returned from service at 15:57 hrs.
Service Area: Approach Channel, No.5 buoy.
Weather: Wind SE 2, Slight Seas, No Swell, Good Visibility.
 
The Motor yacht "CARVINE" with two persons, called the Port Control requesting immediate assistance, having had engine breakdown off the Number Five Channel buoy. In view of the proximity to the Channel, an ILB launch was initiated and HMCG advised. ILB crew were still at station, securing the boat from previous service and boat was launched without pagers or maroons being used. The "CARVINE" was towed in to Ramsgate Harbour.

O.E.M. Stone B 713

 
15/07/00 Fishing Vessel "SUSAN"
 
Launched at 01:24 hrs and returned from service at 01:45 hrs.
Service Area: South of Approach Channel, 01.2 miles from station.
Weather: Wind NW 4, Slight Seas, Low Swell, Good Visibility.
 
The local fishing vessel "SUSAN" with one person, called the Port Control requesting assistance having broken down and drifting towards the approach channel. An ILB launch was initiated and HMCG advised. ILB towed "SUSAN" in to Ramsgate Harbour.
 
22/07/00 Yacht "SHEENALOA III"
 
Launched at 07:03 hrs and returned from service at 07:23 hrs.
Service Area: Off end of Approach Channel, 01.5 miles from station.
Weather: Wind NNE 4, Moderate Seas, Low Swell, Good Visibility.
 
The yacht "SHEENALOA III", with four persons called HMCG for assistance when she suffered engine failure off the Ramsgate Harbour approach channel. ILB launch was requested and ILB towed "SHEENALOA III" in to Ramsgate.

Bob Turnbull B 765

 
07/08/00 Report of an Upturned Boat
 
Launched at 13:25 hrs and returned from service at 13:35 hrs.
Service Area: Off Broadstairs, 02.0 miles from station.
Weather: Wind SSE 3, Slight Seas, No Swell, Good Visibility.
 
Dover MRCC received a report of an upturned boat off Broadstairs Harbour, with people hanging on to it. ILB launch was requested. On arrival the ILB found nothing and it was ascertained that the people had made it safely ashore without assistance.
 
10/08/00 Yacht "COSMIC WIND"
 
Launched at 13:05 hrs and returned from service at 13:19 hrs.
Service Area: Shell Ness Point, 2.1 miles from station.
Weather: Wind WSW 3, Slight Seas, No Swell, Good Visibility.
 
HMCG requested launch of the ILB upon receiving a report that the Yacht "COSMIC WIND" with eight persons on board was aground near Shell Ness at the mouth of the River Stour. Upon arrival the ILB crew ascertained that all was well, and the yacht crew said that they were happy and were awaiting the rising tide. ILB returned to Station.
 
13/08/00 Outboard Motor Boat "CHAMPERS"
 
Launched at 15:25 hrs and returned from service at 15:37 hrs.
Service Area: Near Ramsgate Western Undercliff, 0.5 miles from station.
Weather: Wind SSE 5, Moderate Seas, No Swell, Good Visibility.
 
The local outboard motor boat "CHAMPERS", with four persons, called the Port Control on VHF Channel 14 saying that she had broken down off the Western Undercliff, opposite the new road tunnel, and requested assistance. An ILB launch was instigated and HMCG advised. The ILB towed "CHAMPERS" back in to Ramsgate.
 
14/08/00 Yacht "WOOLWICH WAY"
 
Launched at 12:49 hrs and returned from service at 12:56 hrs.
Service Area: On South Side of North Breakwater.
Weather: Wind SSW 6, Moderate Seas, No Swell, Good Visibility.
 
The Port Control observed that the yacht "WOOLWICH WAY" in the turning circle, appeared to be drifting down onto the south side of the north breakwater. The yacht did not respond to VHF calls from the Port Control and therefore an ILB launch was initiated, with HMCG being advised. The Cox'n then decided to launch the AWB as well. The AWB and several local craft stood by in the turning circle, whilst the ILB closed the yacht, which was by then being pounded onto the breakwater rocks, passed a tow and towed her off the breakwater and into the Royal Harbour.
 
14/08/00 Report of Two Boys Stuck In Mud
 
Launched at 21:05 hrs and returned from service at 22:01 hrs.
Service Area: Shell Ness Point, 2.4 miles from station.
Weather: Wind SW 6, Moderate Seas, No Swell, Good Visibility.
 
Two boys returning by bike from Deal to Ramsgate found themselves on the south bank of the river Stour, near Shell Ness, and attempted to cross the mud with their bikes. The boys became stuck in the mud and called 999 on a mobile telephone, but due to poor signal (and wet phone) the operators could not get the complete message and assumed it was a hoax call. The boys then called a relative,who alerted HMCG.
ILB launch was requested and Rescue Helicopter 125 tasked, whilst HMCG mobile patrol proceeded and the local fishing vessel "Susan" closed the area as close as possible to see if he could see anything. On arrival the ILB crew founds the boys stuck in the mud, cold wet and disorientated. The boys (and their bikes) were taken back to the Ramsgate Boathouse and taken home by their parents.
 
02/09/00 Unnamed Sailing Dinghy
 
Launched at 12:13 hrs and returned from service at 12:55 hrs.
Service Area: Off Dumpton Gap, 0.6 miles from station.
Weather: Wind WNW 5, Moderate Seas, Low Swell, Good Visibility.
 
HMCG requested ILB launch following a report from a MoP of a capsized sailing dinghy off Dumpton Gap, with two persons in the water separated from the dinghy.
On arrival, ILB took the two persons from the water and landed them at Ramsgate, and then returned to tow the dinghy also in to Ramsgate.
 
02/09/00 Two Boys Stuck In Mud in the River Stour
 
Launched at 20:16 hrs and returned from service at 21:12 hrs.
Service Area: River Stour, 2.8 miles from station.
Weather: Wind NNW 4, Calm Seas, Good Visibility.
 
HMCG requested ILB launch following report from MoP of two boys stranded in the mud on the Stour Bank opposite Pfizers.
ILB located the boys, wet, cold and disorientated, and extricated them from the mud. The boys and their bikes were taken to Ramsgate, the ILB managing to leave the river on the very last of the tide.
 
04/09/00 Report of Children on a Rubber Ring
 
Launched at 15:03 hrs and returned from service at 15:19 hrs.
Service Area: Off Dumpton Gap, 1.5 miles from station.
Weather: Wind W X S 4, Moderate Seas, No Swell, Good Visibility.
 
HMCG Requested launch of the ILB following advice from MoP of two children on a rubber ring being blown out to sea off Dumpton Gap.
On arrival ILB found that the children had been assisted by other swimmers and were safe ashore.
 
30/09/00 Yacht "KARABEL"
 
Launched at 14:34 hrs, and returned from service at 14:58 hrs.
Service Area: Off Main Beach, 0.4 miles from station.
Weather: Wind S 4, Slight Seas, No Swell, Good Visibility.
 
The local yacht "KARABEL" with two persons, called the Port Control requesting assistance after suffering engine failure off the Ramsgate Main beach, and starting to drift on to the shore. ILB launch was initiated and HMCG advised. ILB towed "KARABEL" back in to Ramsgate.
 
07/10/00 Motor Boat " JIM BEAM"
 
Launched at 09:16 hrs and returned from service at 09:47 hrs.
Service Area: Brake Sands, 2.5 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind W 2, Slight Seas, No Swell, Good Visibility.
 
The local motor boat "Jim Beam", with one person on board called the Port Control saying that he had suffered engine failure and needed assistance. As there were no other boats in the vicinity, HMCG was advised and ILB launch initiated.
The "Jim Beam" was towed in to Ramsgate Harbour.
 
16/10/00 Fishing Boat "FLORENCE DOWN"
 
Launched at 10:43 hrs and returned from service at 10:43 hrs. 
Service Area: Near B2 Buoy, 1.9 miles from station.
Weather: Wind WNW 4, Slight Seas, Low Swell, Moderate Visibility.
 
The local fishing vessel "Florence Down" called the Port control to say that one of the two crew had sustained an injury to his thumb and, as the vessel had nets out, assistance was requested to bring the man ashore.
ILB launch was initiated and HMCG advised. On arrival, ILB took the injured man on board, leaving one of the lifeboat crew on "Florence Down" to assist in hauling her nets.
Injured man was landed and went to hospital.
 
25/10/00 Windsurfer
 
Launched at 12:21 hrs and returned from service at 12:34 hrs.
Service Area: Pegwell Bay, 2.2 miles from station.
Weather: Wind WSW 6, Rough Seas, Low Swell, Good Visibility.
 
HMCG requested launch of the ILB upon receipt of a 999 call reporting a windsurfer who had been in difficulties off Pegwell Bay and had not been seen for 30 minutes. ILB commenced search from launch site towards Ramsgate. HMCG received telephone call from the windsurfer who had been driven ashore near the Western Undercliff and had "thumbed a lift" back to his friends at the launch site.
ILB returned to station.
 
08/11/00 Report of Person in the Water
 
Launched to at 07:35 hrs and returned from service at 08:53 hrs.
Service Area: South of Main Channel, 0.3 miles from station.
Weather: Wind WSW 4, Slight Seas, No Swell, Good Visibility.
 
The local fishing vessel "NEW DAWN", fishing to the south of the main channel, found a man in the water, swimming but in distress. "NEW DAWN'S" crew member called Port Control requesting immediate assistance and then held on to the man in the water, being unable to get him inboard. The fpv Ken Green was in the vicinity and put a crew member on board, who helped get the man into the ILB, which had just arrived. From a statement from the confused person, it appeared that there might be a second man involved, and a search was commenced, nearby vessels assisting. ILB landed the man to ambulance and returned to the search area. Search was called off at 0850, when police had ascertained that the man had, in fact, been by himself. ILB returned to station.
 
12/11/00 Woman on North Breakwater
 
Launched at 16:18 hrs and returned from service at 16:59 hrs. 
Service Area: Ramsgate Harbour , 0 miles from station. 
Weather: Wind SW 3, Slight Seas, No Swell, Good Visibility.
 
The Port Control Officer saw a woman outboard of the railings at the end of the East Pier and in an apparent distressed condition. The duty Dockmaster attempted to talk to the woman, but she fell from the pier and landed on the rocks of the north breakwater. Emergency services were called, and ILB launch was initiated, in case any assistance was required from seaward. ILB proceeded round to the north breakwater beach whilst the fire brigade and ambulance crews put ladders over from the pier end and reached the woman, who was conscious. It was decided to remove her up the pier face, and once this was done the ILB stood down and returned to station.
 
10/12/00 Missing Windsurfers
 
Launched at 14:03 hrs and returned from service at 14:39 hrs.
Service Area: Sandwich Bay, 2.1 miles from station.
Weather: Wind WSW 8, Rough Seas, Low Swell, Good Visibility.
 
HMCG requested launch following a 999 call from windsurfer at Sandwich Bay who had lost sight of two other surfers half an hour before.
Both boats were launched, and search commenced, both surfers being located shortly afterwards. One surfer was recovered by the ILB and one by the AWB, and both taken back ashore to the winsurfing area at Sandwich Bay.
Both surfers were in a tired and deteriorating condition, and incapable of regaining their boards. One of them was located two miles off shore. Whilst the service had a happy outcome, the rapid location of these drifting windsurfers was crucial as it would only have been a matter of minutes before the situation became serious.
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