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Western 079/01
June 13, 2001
HMS `KENT' COMES TO ASSIST AFTER COASTGUARD CALL
Milford
Haven Coastguard were alerted by mobile phone at just after
4:30 p.m. on 13 June 2001 by the skipper of a small 23 foot motor
boat `Wassini' who reported that his vessel was taking water
rapidly, and that the efforts of his crew of three to bale out was
not stemming the ingress.
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Milford Haven MRSC
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The skipper
gave his position as 1 mile south of Skomer Island and Milford Haven
Coastguard immediately requested that the Angle lifeboat be
launched. A mayday relay was also broadcast into the area, and the
warship HMS `Kent' responded to the call. A further vessel `Topaz' -
a rigid inflatable boat (rib) - also responded and began making her
way to the scene.
The Coastguard requested by mobile phone that the skipper of the
vessel launch a flare and after some consideration discovered that
the vessel, which was on passage from Fishguard to Burry Port, was
instead of his given position, one mile north of Skomer.
This time the St. David's Lifeboat was requested to launch and after
a further firing of a flare 'Topaz' spotted the vessel and headed
for her. As she came alongside HMS `Kent' also arrived on scene and
put two further ribs into the water to assist. The crew aboard the
warship began to pump the `Wassini' out and once the lifeboats
arrived on scene control of the situation was handed to them. |
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HMS KENT, a Duke-class Type
23 frigate is the Royal Navy's newest ship, and was commissioned in
Portsmouth on June 8, 2000 in the presence of Princess Alexandra and
Commander-in-Chief Fleet, Admiral Sir Nigel Essenhigh.
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Mark Harrington, Watch
Manager, at Milford Haven Coastguard said, "We were very grateful
to the crews of all the vessels who responded to our call and
particularly to the Royal Navy who helped to secure this vessel. Our
concerns remain that further means of communication other than just
mobile phones are carried on board - such as a VHF radio. Fortunately,
in this case the weather has been calm and clear with light airs and
good visibility, which undoubtedly helped in the rapid assistance to
the sinking vessel. The vessel was towed into Milford Haven by the
Angle lifeboat." |
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