MAN OVERBOARD RESCUED BY ‘QUICK THINKING’ PILOT VESSEL

At 15.16 today Humber Coastguard overheard the LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) Tanker ‘Harlequin’ requesting all ships keep a lookout for a man overboard in the Tees bay.  Humber Coastguard immediately contacted the vessel and requested her position and a description of the casualty whilst at the same time launching the Hartlepool All Weather Lifeboat and the two inshore lifeboats from Redcar.

The pilot vessel ‘Coatham’ then contacted Humber Coastguard and informed them that they were half a mile from the casualty and were en route.  When the Coatham arrived on scene the man overboard was spotted clinging to the anchor chain of the Harlequin.

The casualty was taken on board the pilot vessel, checked out by the crew and taken ashore to the Tees Harbour Master’s office where an Ambulance was waiting to check the casualty.  The casualty, although cold and shaken, was reported to be well and was taken back to the Harlequin by the pilot vessel.

Bev Allen, Watch Manager, Humber Coastguard said:

“We would like to express our thanks to the crew of the pilot vessel for their swift response and quick thinking, which ultimately saved this man’s life.”

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