Amble Lifeboat Shouts

Date: Sunday 31st August 2008

Wind: SE 1-2
Visibility: Poor due to heavy rain
Sea state: Moderate
Time of launch: 1540hrs
Time of return: 1640hrs

Boats launched: ILB + ALB

Reason: Humber Coastguard requested the launch of Amble ILB, after they recieved a call from a local fisherman, stating he had rescued a dog from the sea approximately 3/4 mile SSE of Amble. He informed the Coastguard that the dog had a collar on stating it was tagged, so, concerned that the dog my have come from a vessel in difficulty, the ILB was requested to launch to go collect the dog and return it to shore where a vet could retrieve the owners details from the tag. With the misty conditions and extremely heavy rain reducing visibilty to 200m, Amble ALB was also launched to escort the ILB.
Just as the ILB reached the fishing boat and collected the dog, Amble Coastguard informed them that they had located a distressed lady on the beach who had lost her dog, matching the description of the one rescued from the sea, about 1hr earlier.
The ILB returned to station with the dog, where the Coastguard collected it to be checked over by a vet, before being re-united with its owner.
The ALB and ILB were then made ready for service.

Date: Tuesday 19th August 2008

Wind: SE 3-4
Visibility: Good
Sea state: Moderate
Time of launch: 1620hrs
Time of return: 1750hrs

Boats launched: ILB

Reason: Humber Coastguard requested the immediate launch of Amble ILB, after they recieved a report of a person threatening to harm themselves in the area between Cliffhouse and Hauxley Point. The ILB was on scene quickly and commenced a search close inshore with local Coastguard units assisting on the beach. Whilst searching, a member of the public reported to the Costguard that they had seen what they thought was a person in the water by Signal Cottage, so the ILB was sent to investigate along with Rescue SeaKing 131 from RAF Boulmer who had also joined the search. Nothing was found in the area but a seal was spotted swimmng close by and it was thought that this is what the person had seen. Soon after, local Coastguard units located the person who was thought to have entered the water, safe and well on dry land.
Just before all units were released, reports were coming in of 2 children possibly missing last seen going to buy buckets and spades for the beach. As details were being passed and a seach plan set up, the children were also found safe and well.
All units were then released and returned to station.

Date: Sunday 10th August 2008

Wind: SE 3-4
Visibility: Good
Sea state: Moderate
Time of launch: 1059hrs
Time of return: 1230hrs

Boats launched: ALB + ILB

Reason: Humber Coastguard requested the immediate launch of Amble Lifeboat and Amble ILB, after being contacted by a member of the public who reported a small yacht in difficulty, approximately 1 mile North East of Alnmouth. On-scene first, the ILB established the vessel was a small sailing dinghy, and the occupant had become very tired after having to right the vessel, several times after capsizing in the gusts of wind. During one of the capsizes, the rudder off the dinghy had been lost, so, after helping the occupant take down and stow the sails, a tow line was attached and the ILB headed for Alnmouth. With the weather deteriorating, the ALB escorted both vessels to the mouth of the river at Alnmouth, where the ILB took the dinghy in to the launching ramp and landed it, and the casualty to awaiting local Coastguards. The ALB and ILB then returned to station and were made ready for service.

Date: Thursday 7th August 2008

Wind: NW 4
Visibility: Good
Sea state: Moderate
Time of launch: 0845hrs
Time of return: 0930hrs

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Boats launched: ALB

Reason: Humber Coastguard requested the launch of Amble Lifeboat, after being contacted by the skipper of the local 10m fishing vessel ‘Annabel’, stating he had steering gear failure 1 mile North East of Amble. Once on scene, the Coxswain decided to put one of the Lifeboat crew on board the fishing vessel to assist the skipper as he did not have any crew. A tow line was attached and the vessel was towed into Amble Marina, after which, the Lifeboat returned to station and made ready for service.

Date: Wednesday July 30th 2008

Wind: SE 2-3
Visibility: Good
Sea state: Moderate
Time of launch: 1650hrs
Time of return: 1730hrs (1705hrs ALB)

Boats launched: ALB + ILB

Reason: Humber Coastguard requested the immediate launch of both Amble Lifeboat and Amble ILB after receiving a 999 call from a member of the public, reporting a swimmer in difficulty in the Alnmouth area. Amble ILB launched within 3 MINUTES!, closely follwed by the ALB and they were joined soon after by Rescue Seaking 132 from RAF Boulmer.
Soon after the original call, Humber Coastguard received calls stating the swimmer had managed to get to the shore and was ok, not needing any medical attention. As such, Amble ALB and Rescue 132 were stood down, although the ILB still proceeded to the scene to double check everything was ok.
With a search of the shore and everything found to be ok, the ILB returned to station and made ready for service.

Date: Saturday July 26th 2008

Wind: SE 1
Visibility: Poor
Sea state: Calm
Time of launch: 1245hrs
Time of return: 1355hrs

(FOR PHOTOS CLICK HERE)

Boats launched: ALB + ILB

Reason: Humber Coastguard requested the immediate launch of both Amble Lifeboat and Amble ILB after receiving a call from the skipper of the 24ft vessel ‘Pisces’ stating he had run aground on the rocks at Hauxley Head and there were 3 persons on board. As the visibility was very poor with thick fog, the ILB had to use its GPS to locate the casualty. Once on scene it was apparent that with the rapidly falling tide, the vessel was stuck on the rocks and wouldnt get off until the tide came back in later in the evening. The ILB helped set an anchor for the vessel to stop it drifting once the tide started to rise and the skipper and his crew were happy to wait on board until the tide came in again.
It was agreed between the Lifeboats, Coastguard and the vessels skipper that the Lifeboats would return once the ride had started to rise to help get the vessel into Amble safely.

Date: Saturday July 26th 2008

Wind: SE 1
Visibility: Poor
Sea state: Calm
Time of launch: 1830hrs
Time of return: 2000hrs

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Boats launched: ALB + ILB

Reason: Amble Lifeboat and Amble ILB launched to assist the vessel ‘Pisces’ as the tide was now rising and the vessel would start to float. Once on scene it was established that no damage had been done that would allow water into the vessel, the vessels engines were started and the ILB escorted the vessel out of the rocky area. Once in open water, the ALB took over escorting the casualty and the ILB followed both vessels back to Amble harbour.

Date: Friday July 25th 2008

Wind: NW 1
Visibility: Good
Sea state: Calm
Time of launch: 1820hrs
Time of return: 1845hrs

Boats launched: ALB + ILB

Reason: Humber Coastguard requested the immediate launch of both Amble Lifeboat and Amble ILB after receiving reports of two children cut off by the tide on an ‘out-fall’ pipe in the Cresswell area. Newbiggin Lifeboat had also been launched but had reported technical problems so it was decided to request that Amble lifeboats proceed to assist too. Just as the Amble Lifeboats were launching, Newbiggin Lifeboat reported that they were no longer experiencing problems and were just arriving on scene to assist the children. Amble Lifeboats were then stood down and made ready for service again.

Date: Wednesday July 23rd 2008

Wind: NW 1
Visibility: Good
Sea state: Calm
Time of launch: 1530hrs
Time of return: 1645hrs

Boats launched: ILB

Reason: Humber Coastguard requested the immediate launch of Amble ILB after the 9.5m yach ‘Talisha’ reported having run aground whilst being towed into Amble by a local fishing coble. Once on scene an ILB crewman was put on board the yacht to help the skipper put out an anchor and wait on the tide to flow.
After speaking to the skipper it became apparent he had broken down the day before and lay at anchor in the bay all night trying to rectify the problem. The following afternoon, unable to start his engine, the skipper asked a local fisherman to tow him into Amble which is when he ran aground.
With the tide flowing and the yacht floating, the ILB attached a towline and the yacht was towed up the harbour and secured against the quay. The ILB then returned station and made ready for service.

Date: Sunday May 25th 2008

Wind: NE 6-7
Visibility: Good
Sea state: 5m swell
Time of launch: 0810hrs
Time of return: 1115hrs

(FOR PHOTOS CLICK HERE)

Boats launched: ALB

Reason: Humber Coastguard requested the immediate launch of Amble ALB after the ex F.V ‘Ranger’ reported taking water approximately 9 miles ENE of Amble. On reaching the casualty it was decided by the Coxswain to transfer two crew to the vessel, with the lifeboat’s salvage pump. The Coxswain instructed the skipper of the vessel what course to steer at slow speed to enable the transfer to take place. This was to be a very tricky manoeuvre with a 5m swell running, as the casualty vessel was rolling and pitching heavily, but using all his skill, the Coxswain managed to get the ALB alongside with enough time transfer the crew and the pump.
With the lifeboat crew safely aboard, they were able to pump out the vessel, and with no apparent leaks in the hull, the vessel was escorted into Amble under her own power. Just inside the harbour, with the tide being low, and ignoring instruction for the Lifeboat, the casualty ran aground on a sand bank, however the ALB managed to attach a tow line to tow it into deeper water and secure the vessel alongside the quay.

Date: Saturday May 24th 2008

Wind: NE 3-4
Visibility: Good
Sea state: 1m swell
Time of launch: 1425hrs
Time of return: 1510hrs

Boats launched: ALB and ILB

Reason: Humber Coastguard requested the immediate launch of both Amble Lifeboats after they received a 999 call from the owner of a 17’ cabin cruiser stating he had lost engine power and was drifting towards the rocks on the shore, and there were 3 other people with him. When asked his position, the skipper could only say he had left the piers and ‘turned right’, so with very little information the Lifeboats had to conduct a search to locate the vessel. Amble ILB was first on scene just to the south of Amble where the vessel had actually been washed onto the beach and everyone had managed to get ashore safely. With Amble ALB on scene, the ILB took a towline from the ALB to the casualty and they managed to get the vessel back out to sea. The occupants of the vessel returned to Amble with the Coastguard whilst the ILB escorted the ALB with the casualty under tow, back to Amble.