MOTORCRUISERS COLLIDE IN DOVER STRAIT

Dover Coastguard requested the Dover and Walmer RNLI lifeboats to launch and the rescue helicopter from RAF Wattisham to divert from a training exercise this evening after a conversation was heard on radio channel 16 about a collision between two motor cruisers in the Dover Strait. The French Coastguard also sent the Calais and Boulogne lifeboats to assist.

The two motorcruisers, ‘Maid of Unst’ with two people on board and ‘Sabreur’ with four people onboard were travelling back from Boulogne to Dover when the collision happened. A conversation about the collision was heard on channel 16 by the Coastguard at just after 6.00 pm. The two vessels were in the north-east lane of the Dover Strait at the time, 11 miles from Dover Harbour.

In communication with the Coastguard, the crew of the Sabreur put on their lifejackets and launched their liferaft. Two of the crew took to the liferaft whilst the other two remained onboard their vessel attempting to salvage it. When the helicopter and lifeboats arrived on scene, a decision was made to airlift three of the four crew of the Sabreur to Dover Coastguard. The skipper remained onboard his vessel, and pumps were put on board in an attempt to salvage the vessel. Sabreur is now under tow by Dover lifeboat into Dover.

The Maid of Unst sustained less serious damage and was escorted back into Dover by the Walmer Lifeboat with one lifeboat member onboard.

Sarah Bray, Dover Coastguard Watch Manager says:

“All of the six crew members are safe and well and there were no injuries.

“Following a serious incident such as this we would encourage skippers to make a mayday broadcast as soon as they can. Seconds can be lifesavers. We would also encourage all recreational boaters to wear correctly fitted well maintained lifejackets at all times whilst on deck.”

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