Lowestoft RNLI Lifeboat aids former tug with gear box failure
An RNLI lifeboat responded to a call for help from a vessel that was experiencing engine problems off the Suffolk coast.
The volunteer crew of Lowestoft RNLI lifeboat Patsy Knight was called out at 12.46pm (Saturday 13 Jan 2024) when a former tug got into difficulties.
Lifeboat Coxswain John Fox said, “The crew on the ex-tug called HM Coastguard for help as they were experiencing engine problems with their gear box”
“We launched our all-weather lifeboat and when we reached the 78-foot-long vessel it was off Corton having spent a few days travelling from the Humber area.”
“The four crew on board the vessel said that the ex-tug, which was to be converted into a house boat, had developed a gear box fault that caused the engine problem.”
“The former tug was a very heavy vessel, believed to weigh 80 tonnes. We decided the best course of action was to tow the vessel back slowly, planning to arrive off Lowestoft Pier Head at slack water to allow the tide to get away – making manoeuvring the tug into the harbour entrance safer.”
“We were able to bring the vessel into the Yacht Marina, mooring alongside the Heritage Quay at 4.30pm where the crew were met by a Coastguard Rescue Team.”
The Lowestoft lifeboat crew had quite a busy weekend as they also responded to two other multi agency incidents, one earlier on Saturday morning and another in the early hours of Sunday morning.
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The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.
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