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Southern
154/01
11 October 2001
FISHERMEN ABANDON TO
LIFERAFT AFTER ENGINE ROOM FIRE
| Dover Coastguard
received a mayday call at 6.10pm on 10 October 2001 from the 15
metre British registered fishing vessel `Sarah Visholm 2', built
in 1973, alerting the marine emergency service to a major fire
in her engine room.
The mayday confirmed that all
four crew were abandoning ship to their liferaft and a passing
merchant vessel stood by whilst the vessel was evacuated. |
Dover Coastguard
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The
Coastguard immediately scrambled an RAF rescue helicopter - R
125 from Wattisham - and the Margate all weather lifeboat was
also launched. The helicopter first on scene managed to winch
all four to safety and took them to Margate Hospital were they
were later described as being `shaken'.
Murray Milligan, District Controller of Dover Coastguard said:
"The crew's mayday call, which was relayed into the area by
ourselves prompting a rapid response from merchant vessels
certainly deserves mention. Their swiftness in responding to our
call was carried out in the finest traditions of the sea and
undoubtedly helped secure the safety of all four seafarers.
"At present the hulk of the burning ship remains 25
nautical miles east of Margate. Our Emergency Towing Vessel 'Far
Turbot' which was on guard ship duty near the wreck of the
`Ash', which sank yesterday, is going to stand by the vessel.
The weather on scene is
southwesterly force 5 with excellent visibility and a moderate
sea.
The Marine Accident
Investigation Branch have been informed of the incident. |
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