GRATITUDE BF103

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Fishing vessel suffered water ingress

Amble RNLI volunteers were out at sea for eight hours to go to the aid of the "Gratitude - BF 403" on Dec 18, 2015. The Humber Coastguard requested the launch of Amble Lifeboat after the fishing vessel reported that it was taking in water, approximately 20 miles north east of the town. The vessel's own pumps couldn't cope with the ingress of water and the crew was preparing the life raft. Amble RNLI made best speed to the vessel and Rescue Helicopter 912 was also requested. Once on scene, the lifeboat transferred its pump and was able to get the water level reduced and under control enough to start escorting the vessel back to Amble. Once the situation was stabilised, the helicopter was stood down to returm to base. Once back at the entrance to the harbour, the tide was too low for the fishing vessel to enter, so the lifeboat stayed at sea to stand by the fishing vessel, to wait on the tide rising to allow her to enter the harbour. During this time, the lifeboat returned to station briefly for a crew change, eventually able to escort the vessel into the harbour some eight hours after first launching. Report with photo: http://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/news/local-news/amble-rnli-at-sea-for-eight-hours-to-rescue-fishing-vessel-1-7635033#ixzz3usvZVJui