WIREDGOV

In the first incident, a 33yr old man from the Tyneside area had to call Coastguards after becoming lost in the fog on his jet ski, near St. Mary’s Island. He had managed to make shore on the island and sought the help of a local family, using their telephone to call 999 Coastguard. His main concern was for his wife and family who were waiting for him on shore and could not be contacted. At the same time his wife was calling 999 to report him missing.

Cullercoats RNLI Inshore lifeboat were launched and escorted the man back to shore, re-uniting him with his family at the life-boathouse.

Almost an hour later a 45ft yacht called up stating that they had become becalmed and had lost all engine power. Due to the fog in the area they were requesting assistance to get back into harbour. Filey RNLI all weather lifeboat was launched and using their direction finding equipment was soon able to locate the yacht and tow into harbour at Scarborough.

Another hour later and a 999 call was received from a small fishing boat, lost in fog off Holy Island. The two persons aboard had spent some time fishing and the fog had descended rapidly leaving them disorientated and unsure of their whereabouts.

The boat was not carrying a VHF radio, flares or a torch – all of which would have helped determine their position. Seahouses RNLI all weather lifeboat launched and after some time managed to locate the casualty by using their foghorn, searchlights, flares and speaking directly to the casualty through a connect call created by the Coastguard Maritime Co-ordination centre at Humber.

Mike Green, Watch Manager at Humber Coastguard said “We have had quite a busy night – mostly due to the dense fog. At least two of these incidents could have been avoided if the owners/operators of the vessels concerned had heeded weather forecasts, or at least been prepared. If you are going to sea, there is always the risk of rapidly descending fog, and a good compass, flashlight and VHF radio are basic necessities”

For further details please call:

Mark Clark, The Maritime & Coastguard Agency Duty Press Officer on:

(02380) 841840 / (07711) 002678 (mobile) / 07693 345278 (pager) or during office hours (02380) 329401