TWO CREW RESCUED FROM MOTOR CRUISER

Two crew aboard a 27 foot motor cruiser were rescued off Poole Harbour this afternoon after reporting a potential fire aboard their vessel.

Portland Coastguard intercepted a call on VHF Channel 16 from the motor cruiser at 12:53pm.  The crew were reporting a potential fire on board; their position given was 1.5 nautical miles east of Poole Harbour entrance.

Poole RNLI inshore lifeboat and all weather lifeboats were requested to launch and a local vessel in the area stood by the casualty in case the situation deteriorated further. 

John Braisher, Portland Coastguard said:

“The motor cruiser had departed Poole bound for the Isle of Wight when smoke was discovered in the engine room. The two crew aboard quickly closed the hatch cover and alerted us immediately.

We advised them to keep clear of the hatch cover and put on their lifejackets until help arrived; unfortunately they were not carrying lifejackets or a life raft aboard their vessel.

Poole RNLI lifeboats arrived on scene and took the crew aboard the inshore lifeboat whilst the all weather lifeboat towed the vessel into Poole Harbour where they were met by a Dorset Fire and Rescue Unit who entered the engine room and confirmed that there was no fire but it was wiring that was smoking. Coastguard Rescue officers from Poole were also in attendance at Poole Harbour.  

It is essential that when going afloat to carry properly maintained lifejackets for each member of the crew aboard and to be appropriately trained.

There were 95 maritime deaths in the last five years which might have been prevented if those involved had been wearing a lifejacket or buoyancy aid. These figures were collated following the annual meeting of the Casualty Review Panel in March. The panel looked at fatal maritime incidents for 2011 and, where there was sufficient information, assessed whether it was probable, possible or unlikely that the person involved could have been saved had they been wearing a lifejacket or buoyancy aid.”

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