Two crew escaped from their 11-metre fishing vessel “Hunter” after it caught fire off Saltfleet Haven, near Mablethorpe.
Yarmouth Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre received a 999 call at 18.51 from the crew of two brothers after they had taken to the life raft. The Coastguard immediately asked the RNLI Inshore Lifeboat from Mablethorpe and the Coastguard Rescue Teams from Mablethorpe and Donna Nook to go to the scene. Yarmouth Coastguard also broadcast an alert to shipping in the area asking them to assist.
The two crew were rescued from their life raft by the Mablethorpe Inshore Lifeboat and brought them back to shore where they received medical attention. Both were later reported to be well. The “Hunter” has been left high and dry on a sand bank by the falling tide. She is still burning and being monitored by Donna Nook Coastguard Rescue Team.
It’s believed that the Fishing Vessel “Hunter” was around one nautical mile off Saltfleet, heading out to sea, when she developed engine problems. The vessel was heading back to land when she caught fire so the crew ran the vessel on to a sandbank and took to the life raft. The cause of the fire that engulfed the vessel appears to have been related to the engine fuel system.
Yarmouth Coastguard Watch Manager Mario Siano said:
“This is a very experienced crew and a well maintained boat that has recently relocated from Grimsby to Saltfleet. Tonight’s incident just goes to show that you should always be prepared for the unexpected.”
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, January 28, 2013; Image: Mablethorpe Lifeboat Station