Update on RNLI fishing vessel rescue after becoming trapped by trawling net off Blackpool coast
“The secret was, once again, rooted in good communication”
Fleetwood RNLI towed a fishing boat back to shore after its propellor became tangled in a trawling net off the coast.
Crews launched the all-weather lifeboat Kenneth James Pierpoint last night after receiving reports that the vessel was having difficulty.
The RNLI volunteers reached the 10-metre fishing boat around five miles off the coast but as the net was free of the seabed and the vessel was unable to return under its own power, crews decided to tow the boat safely to shore. It was complicated further as the vessel’s radio wasn’t operational.
Blackpool’s Atlantic 85 William and Eleanor and Fleetwood’s inshore lifeboat Harvery also turned out to help.
Emma Roney, Launch Authority on duty for the callout, said: “At times like this, being able to work with the support of our flank stations shows the true One Crew ethos of the RNLI, and everyone involved behaved in an exemplary manner.
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“I’d like to thank our fellow volunteers from Blackpool for their help, and Lytham station for the support that they’ve been providing as well.
“The secret of this shout’s success was, once again, rooted in good communication - both between our crews and from the casualty vessel itself, who knew to call for assistance as soon as they realised it was needed.’