Inshore Lifeboat Service Reports 2001
 

Bob Turnbull B 765

 
14/04/01 Yacht "AQUAFIT"
 
Launched at 22:43 hrs and returned from service at 22:51 hr.
Service Area: Ramsgate Harbour, 0 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind W force 4, Slight Seas, No Swell, Good Visibility.
 
The yacht "Aquafit", with four persons, attempted to sail into Ramsgate Harbour following an engine failure off the port. After entering the breakwaters, the yacht was set down onto the inside of the northern breakwater by the westerly wind. ILB was launched, and towed "Aquafit" off the breakwater and into the Royal 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.
 
See AWB account of this service.
 
05/05/01 Yacht "VIVACIOUS"
 
Launched at 04:41 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.
 
See AWB account of this service
 
25/05/01 Yacht "VOLLE"
 
Launched at 12:19 hrs and returned from service at 12:51 hrs.
Service Area: Off Ramsgate, 0.5 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind NEXE force 3, Slight Seas, Low Swell, Good Visibility.
 
The Dutch Yacht "Volle" with three persons called the Port Control by VHF saying that she had been dismasted, near the North Quern Buoy, and needed assistance. HMCG were advised and ILB launch initiated. On arrival on scene, ILB found "Volle" with her sails and part of her mast overside. These were secured and "Volle" was towed in to Ramsgate Harbour.
 
28/05/01 Children in Difficulties
 
Launched at 15:30 hrs and returned from service at 15:31 hrs.
Service Area: Off Broadstairs, 2 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind WSW force 4, Moderate Seas, No Swell, Good Visibility.
 
HMCG mobile unit was at Broadstairs Harbour on routine visit when three children were swept off the main slipway by flood tide, and were unable to regain shore. ILB launch was requested, but as ILB launched, the children had been recovered by their friends and members of public. ILB returned to station.
 
29/05/01 Children in Difficulties
 
Launched at 16:45 hrs and returned from service at 17:06 hrs.
Service Area: Off Broadstairs, 2 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind S force 4, Moderate Seas, No Swell, Good Visibility.
 
HMCG requested launch of the ILB following a report from member of the public of children in the water in difficulties off Broadstairs Harbour. ILB proceeded and on arrival found that the children had been safely brought ashore by the beach lifeguard team. ILB returned to station.
 
11/06/01 Small boat broken down
 
Launched at 12:01 hrs and returned from service at 12:45 hrs.
Service Area: Mouth of the Stour, 2 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind W X N force 2, Slight Seas, No Swell, Good Visibility.
 
HMCG received VHF call from a small boat which the Sandwich Haven Master was using to reposition the buoys in the Stour River entrance. The boat had suffered engine failure, and assistance was requested. HMCG requested launch of the ILB, which proceeded,and took the boat on tow to Sandwich Quay
 
23/06/01 Motor Yacht "KIND OF MAGIC"
 
Launched at 22:40 hrs and returned from service at 23:06 hrs.
Service Area: Brake Sands, 3 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind NE force 4, Slight Seas, Low Swell, Good Visibility.
 
See AWB account of this service.
 
30/06/01 A dog fallen over the cliffs
 
Launched at 09:20 hrs and returned from service at 09:50 hrs.
Service Area: Pegwell Bay, 1.5 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind SW force 3, Slight Seas, No Swell, Good Visibility.
 
HMCG called Port Control and spoke with Hon Sec asking for assistance after a report from MoP of a dog fallen over the cliffs at Pegwell Bay. HMCG response team and the RSPCA had been tasked. It was decided to launch the ILB and eventually the ILB recovered the injured animal from the bottom of the cliff and landed it in care of the RSPCA at the Western Undercliff Slipway.
 
09/07/01 Yacht "MIURA"
 
Launched at 14:56 hrs and returned from service at 15:34 hrs.
Service Area: NE of Harbour, 1.6 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind WSW force 3, Slight Seas, No Swell, Good Visibility.
 
The yacht "Miura" with two persons, suffered engine failure in the approaches to Ramsgate. Unable to sail, the yacht called the Ramsgate Port Control requesting assistance. ILB launch was initiated, HMCG being advised, and the ILB towed "Miura" in to Ramsgate Harbour.
 
21/07/01 Motor Yacht "DELSILVA II"
 
Launched at 11:33 hrs and returned from service at 12:05 hrs.
Service Area: Near Dumpton Gap, 1.3 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind SW force 5, Moderate Seas, No Swell, Good Visibility.
 
The Motor Yacht "Delsilva II", with two persons, suffered engine breakdown just off Dumpton Gap. "Delsilva II" called the Ramsgate Port Control, requesting assistance and an ILB launch was initiated, HMCG being advised. The ILB towed "Delsilva II" in to Ramsgate.
 
21/07/01 Motor Boat "ROKER"
 
Launched at 14:29 hrs and returned from service at 15:08 hrs.
Service Area: Entrance to River Stour, 2 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind SW force 6, Moderate Seas, No Swell, Good Visibility.
 
A small angling boat, "Roker", with three persons went aground in the entrance to the River Stour, and called HMCG for assistance. ILB launch was requested, and the ILB towed the boat off the sands and up to Richborough Quay.
 
24/07/01 Swimmer in Difficulties
 
Launched 14:41 at hrs and returned from service at 14:56 hrs.
Service Area: Off Broadstairs, 2 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind VAR force 2, Slight Seas, No Swell, Good Visibility.
 
HMCG received a report from MoP of a swimmer in difficulties off Broadstairs Pier. It was known that there was a channel swimmer in training in the water, but ILB launch was requested to ensure that this was, in fact, the same swimmer. Meanwhile, HMCG contacted the beach lifeguards at Viking Bay. Lifeguards went out to the 71 year old swimmer and tactfully suggested that he continue his training closer inshore. Swimmer was landed on the beach by safety boat and ILB returned to Station.
 
25/07/01 Yacht "ROSE DE VENT"
 
Launched at 10:09 hrs and returned from service at 10:41 hrs.
Service Area: The Brake Sands, 1.2 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind VAR force 2, Slight Seas, No Swell, Moderate Visibility.
 
The yacht "Rose de Vent" with 6 Persons called Ramsgate Port Control shortly after leaving Ramsgate, saying she was aground on the Brake Sands, and requesting assistance. ILB launch was initiated and HMCG advised. On arrival, the ILB put a tow onto the "Rose de Vent" and then pulled her clear of the ground. The ILB then escorted "Rose de Vent" clear of the shallow water to resume her passage.
 
26/07/01 Motor Boat "ROSEANNA"
 
Launched at 11:21 hrs and returned from service at 11:46 hrs.
Service Area: South of Ramsgate, 1.4 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind NE force 3, Slight Seas, Low Swell, Good Visibility.
 
The small motor boat "Roseanna", with one person, called the Ramsgate port control advising that she had a rope foul of her propeller and needed immediate assistance. ILB launch was initiated, and HMCG informed. The ILB towed "Roseanna" back into Ramsgate.
 
30/07/01 Person Adrift on an Inflatable
 
Launched at 21:10 hrs and returned from service at 21:27 hrs.
Service Area: North of Ramsgate Marina Swimming Pool, 1.2 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind WSW force 3, Slight Seas, No Swell, Good Visibility.
 
Acting upon a report from a MoP, HMCG requested launch of the ILB to assist a youth on an inflatable drifting off shore off The Main Sands and apparently unable to regain the shore. ILB proceeded and landed the youth and the inflatable back onto the beach.
 
03/08/01 Tender to the survey vessel "SEA VIGIL"
 
Launched at 12:00 hrs and returned from service at 12:16 hrs.
Service Area: River Stour Mouth, 2 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind SW force 3, Moderate Seas, No Swell, Good Visibility.
 
The tender to the survey vessel "Sea Vigil", with two persons, called the RNLI boathouse by telephone and requested assistance after having engine failure off the mouth of the river Stour. ILB launch was initiated, HMCG being advised. ILB towed the tender back in to Ramsgate Harbour.
 
04/08/01 Missing Swimmer
 
Launched at 15:52 hrs and returned from service at 19:42 hrs.
Service Area: Off Walmer, 0 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind SW force 6, Moderate Seas, Low Swell, Good Visibility.
 
HMCG requested launch of the ILB to assist in the search for a swimmer reported missing off Walmer. Walmer Lifeboat, Rescue Helicopter 125 and the Ramsgate AWB were also tasked to search.
The ILB returned to station to refuel and was then called out to the assistance of the Catamaran "We Two are One"(see service below), launching for that service at 1816 hrs. Having towed "We Two are One" in to Ramsgate, the ILB proceeded back to sea to resume the search for the missing swimmer.
ILB returned to station at 1942, the search having been called off with nothing found.
 
04/08/01 Catamaran "WE TWO ARE ONE"
 
Launched at 18:16 hrs and returned from service at 18:40 hrs.
Service Area: Near Broadstairs Knoll, 2.5 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind SW force 6, Moderate Seas, Low Swell, Good Visibility.
 
Crew already mustered, refueling ILB before resuming search (see service above). The Catamaran "We Two Are One", with two persons called the Ramsgate Port Control requesting immediate assistance, following failure of both engines, and inability to sail to Ramsgate in prevailing wind and tide. HMCG was advised and ILB proceeded to casualty and towed "We Two Are One" in to Ramsgate. (ILB then resumed search for missing swimmer).
 
11/08/01 Person in the Water
 
Launched at 00:24 hrs and returned from service at 02:00 hrs.
Service Area: Off Louisa Bay, 2 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind W force 2, Slight Seas, No Swell, Good Visibility.
 
A MoP called Dover Coastguard to report what he believed to be cries and screams from someone in the water off Louisa Gap. ILB launched to search the area, and at 0145, with nothing found, the search was called off.
On return to station, after this service, the ILB assisted the Margate Lifeboat in bringing a Casualty (Dutch Barge) in to Ramsgate Harbour.
 
11/08/01 Yacht "WAVEPLANE"
 
Launched at 11:50 hrs and returned from service at 12:05 hrs.
Service Area: Near No.6 Buoy, 1 mile from Station.
Weather: Wind SW force 4, Moderate Seas, Low Swell, Good Visibility.
 
The Royal Temple Yacht Club race control called the Ramsgate Port Control requesting assistance for the racing yacht "Waveplane", with five persons, which had lost its rudder near No.6 buoy. The RTYC safety boats were all occupied elsewhere. ILB launch was initiated and HMCG advised. On arrival ILB found that the yacht had rigged temporary steerage and then escorted "Waveplane" back in to Ramsgate Harbour.
 
11/08/01 Yacht "GIMMINY KRICKET"
 
Launched at 18:27 hrs and returned from service at 18:32 hrs.
Service Area: At Harbour Entrance, 0.4 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind SW force 6, Moderate Seas, No Swell, Good Visibility.
 
The Yacht "Gimminy Kricket" , with three persons called the port control requesting assistance whilst approaching the Harbour. "Gimminy Kricket" had experienced great difficulty in approaching in the current adverse wind and tidal conditions and having no engine, could not now make the port. ILB launch was initiated and HMCG advised. ILB took "Gimminy Kricket" in tow in to Ramsgate.
 
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.
 
The yacht "Roseanne", with one person, was entering the harbour when she suffered engine failure just inside the breakwaters. With the strong wind blowing the yacht rapidly down onto the breakwater, the Port Control observed the situation and initiated an ILB launch, HMCG being advised. The Pilot Cutter "Estuary Escort" and the Fishing Boat "Rachel II" proceeded to stand by the casualty, with "Estuary Escort" getting a line on board, but unable to do more. Both Lifeboats launched, the cox'n using the AWB to provide a lee for the ILB operations at the casualty. ILB closed the yacht, which was being pounded onto the rocks of the breakwater, and took of the single crew. In view of the conditions prevailing, it was decided that to attempt to salvage the yacht would be an unjustifiable risk for the Lifeboats, and both boats returned to station.
"Roseanne" sank alongside the breakwater and was subsequently removed and broken up by contractors.
 
23/08/01 Body in the Water
 
Launched at 18:25 hrs and returned from service at 18:34 hrs.
Service Area: Western Under Cliff, 0.5 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind NE force 1, Slight Seas, No Swell, Moderate Visibility.
 
HMCG called the Hon Sec advising that a Member of the Public had reported a body in the water off the Western Undercliff. Mobile team had responded and it looked as though the object was not a body, but the MoP was adamant. Hon Sec authorised the launch of the ILB, which proceeded to the object and found it to be a piece of old carpet. Call logged as false alarm with good intent.
 
03/09/01 Yacht "CAVATINA"
 
Launched at 00:45 hrs and returned from service at 01:47 hrs.
Service Area: Between East Brake & RA Buoy, 3.4 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind Wind WSW force 2, Slight Seas, No Swell, Moderate Visibility.
 
The yacht Cavatina, with two persons had been observed by the Port Control to have been stationary in position for some three hours. "Cavatina" called the Port Control at 0030 hrs, asking for assistance as her engine could not give sufficient headway in the prevailing tide. HMCG were advised, and ILB launched. On arrival, the ILB took "Cavatina" in tow in to Ramsgate Harbour
 
28/10/01 Yacht "MARIELLA"
 
Launched at 08:34 hrs and returned from service at 09:02 hrs.
Service Area: Mouth of the Stour, 2.5 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind NW force 1, Calm Seas, No Swell, Good Visibility
 
The yacht "Mariella" with three persons spoke to the Port Control at 1003 hrs on the 27th October, advising that she was aground in the Stour Mouth, and awaiting high tide for refloating. At 1724 on the 17th "Mariella" called the Port Control to advise that she would not be refloating until the tide on the next morning (the 28th), but would need some assistance then. ILB launched and attended, assisting the yacht to re-float, and then escorted the yacht in to Ramsgate harbour.
 
31/10/01 Body
 
Launched at 07:38 hrs and returned from service at 07:55 hrs.
Service Area: Off Ramsgate Beach Marina, 0.5 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind W X S force 5, Moderate Seas, Low Swell, Good Visibility.
 
HMCG requested the launch of the ILB to assist police in recovering a badly decomposed body from the sea off the Ramsgate Main beach. The body was recovered and taken in to Ramsgate harbour.
 
06/11/01 Person in the Water
 
Launched at 14:28 hrs and returned from service at 14:49 hrs.
Service Area: North of Broadstairs, 3 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind WNW force 5, Moderate Seas, Low Swell, Good Visibility.
 
HMCG requested launch of the ILB following the report of a man in difficulties in the water in Joss Bay. A second man had gone to assist and both were reported as needing assistance. On arrival ILB found one man, with a rucksack on his back, in the water with a beach patrol trying to assist him. It appeared the man was trying to walk to Broadstairs. Casualty was taken on board the ILB and landed to ambulance at Broadstairs Harbour. Man declined all medical assistance.
 
08/12/01 Persons cut of by tide
 
Launched at 05:59 hrs and returned from service at 06:15 hrs.
Service Area: Pegwell Bay, 1.1 miles from Station.
Weather: Wind E force 4, Slight Seas, No Swell, Good Visibility.
 
HMCG requested launch of the ILB following a report of six people cut off by the tide under the cliffs at Pegwell Bay. On arrival it was found that the persons were on the sea wall and in no imminent danger. There being a ten feet drop from the wall to the sea, and with rocks close in, it was decided that a recovery by ILB would be unnecessarily hazardous. ILB returned to station. Persons were recovered by HMCG cliff rescue team.
 
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