Maersk Dover assists yacht in distress
- 5 July 2010 23:2759236Maersk Dover went to the assistance of a yacht in distress off the Goodwin Sands on sunday afternoon.
The Dutch yacht "Slocum" had lost her sails and motor in rough seas and was in danger of drifting onto the Goodwins.
Maersk Dover diverted from her passage to Dunkerque and stood by the yacht ready to launch her rescue boat and take the yacht in tow if necessary.
Dover lifeboat was called out and Maersk Dover was released when RNLB "Roger and Joy Freeman" arrived and took over.
- 6 July 2010 07:0959248Ed fantastic set of photos there. Well done with that. Hot news indeed. Your feature coincides with a Press Release just in hot off the wires from the RNLI's Martin Collins...which describes their end of the story as it were..
here we are.... Many thanks Martin Collins
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Dover Lifeboat was requested to launch three times during the last week.
Dover's RNLI volunteers have been called out three times this week responding to a variety of incidents including a yacht, an angling boat and a dead cetacean.
On Wednesday evening (30th) the crew were paged after Dover Coastguard received reports of a capsized vessel off Folkestone. Whilst the volunteer lifeboat crew were making their way to the Lifeboat Station another vessel reached the scene and found the 'upturned hull' was in fact the hulk of a dead whale. With no lives at risk, the lifeboat was immediately stood down.
The second call out came on Thursday afternoon (1st) when a Dover based angling boat suffered power failure whilst fishing approximately three miles from the port. Once the lifeboat crew had helped the skipper of the boat raise his anchor the stricken craft was taken in tow and brought into Dover.
On Sunday (4th), in near gale conditions, the lifeboat crew went to the aid of a single-handed yachtsman who was in difficulties. The 11m yacht, which was sailing to Dover from Calais, was suffering from engine problems and being pushed towards the Goodwin Sands. Once the crew had located the vessel a crew member was transferred aboard to assist the yachtsman in securing a tow line. The yacht was then towed into the safety of Dover Marina.
Notes to editors
· Dover lifeboat station has been operating since 1837. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to www.rnli.org.uk/dover or www.dover-lifeboat.org.uk.
· Dover Lifeboat Station currently operates City of London II, a Severn class, all weather lifeboat. The 17m vessel is self righting, crewed at sea by a Coxswain and six crew and capable of 25kts.
· The Dover Lifeboat Station and shop is situated in the Marina on the Crosswall Quay, Union Street.
· A photograph of the yacht being towed in on Sunday evening is attached. Please credit Ian Packman if used.email: dover7@msn.com - 6 July 2010 07:1059249Just to add...the picture referred to in the RNLI Release is the yacht finally being towed into Dover Harbour by the Lifeboat. Will get that picture up soon.email: dover7@msn.com
- 6 July 2010 09:3159259Excellent photographs and well done Maersk Dover.
This is the reason that the RNLI is one of the few charities that I wholeheartedly support. - 6 July 2010 09:3559261great scoop, forum members with cameras seem to be everywhere, top class stuff ed.
bob, with you on the rnli, they are the only one i support. - 6 July 2010 09:5659265Howard, Bob, me too. The ONLY worthwhile chaity in my view.
I have to wonder why anyone would name their yacht Slocum. Perhaps they are cat lovers. Mrs Slocum was often stroking her pussy as I recall.
- 6 July 2010 10:2659273Sid,
Much the same reason Moitessier named his yacht Joshua.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Slocum - 6 July 2010 10:2859275Here with the photo that came this morning on the RNLI Press Release as shown above in post #2. Nice shot. It was taken by Ian Packman. Shows the yacht featured arriving with the Lifeboats considerable help in Dover Harbour on Sunday evening. Thanks again guys.
Just had further bit of info through. The TV programme which went down very well last year, so much so that it is now filming a second series...called Sea Patrol UK, those guys were onboard filming the whole thing. So all great stuff for future viewing. Last year it showed the Dover Lifeboat in fine action amongst other items of real interest.email: dover7@msn.com - 6 July 2010 11:2359278Great photos and good that Dover is getting more publicity for it's seafaring roots.
Though I am always sorry to hear that the Lifeboat has had to be called out they do an excellent job and I wholeheartedly salute them.
