At just after 5.00 a.m. on 20 April 2001 the fishing vessel `Rebecca Kay', a 24 foot crabber/potter skippered by Stefan Jones, left from Bideford Quay heading for Baggy Point in Bideford Bay, North Devon, for a day's fishing with a number of pots on board.

When he was a mile off shore, the skipper noticed his engine cut out and almost immediately the vessel began to sink rapidly. There was no time for him to grab a radio or his emergency indicating radio beacon (epirb), and as the boat sank Mr. Jones took his only option and jumped into the water.

Fortunately, a further fishing vessel, the `Jean Howard' who was nearby saw what was happening, and had seen the `Rebecca Kay' dangerously list in the water. The skipper was pulled aboard and a `mayday' signal was relayed into the area and was picked up by Swansea Coastguard.

Terry Baldwin, Watch Manager at Swansea Coastguard said, "We immediately requested the launch of the Appledore RNLI in-shore lifeboat who rendezvoused with the `Jean Howard' and took Mr Jones on board and back to dry land. He required no medical attention, but is plainly shocked at the loss of his boat and the rapidity of the sinking. Locally the weather conditions this morning were good with
northerly winds force 2. The vessel had approximately 100 gallons of diesel on board.

"No cause is yet known as to why the vessel went down so quickly, however we have issued navigational warnings locally, and the UK Hydrographer has been notified."