FISHERMAN PLUCKED FROM LIFERAFT AFTER BOAT SINKS

A Plymouth fisherman was rescued from his liferaft by lifeboat after his nine-metre fishing vessel, ‘Arandora  Star’, started taking water and sank whilst in Bigbury Bay.
Brixham Coastguard received a 999 call from a member of the public reporting that they had seen a parachute flare over the bay and that he could see the vessel in difficulty. The coastguard requested the launch of Plymouth RNLI lifeboat and scrambled a rescue helicopter. The pleasure vessel ‘Itinerant Child’ also saw the flare and went to the aid of the fisherman. The dive vessel ‘outcast’ responded to a mayday relay message and also went to the scene.
Once the lifeboat arrived on scene it was able to rescue the man from his liferaft and take him to shore. He was unharmed although shocked by his ordeal.
Matt Thornhill, Brixham Coastguard Watch Officer says:
 “The fisherman’s vessel sank very quickly, but he was already sensibly wearing a lifejacket and immersion suit, so was able to get into his liferaft and await rescue. He had tried to use his vhf radio to call for help, but unfortunately the batteries were wet so he fired flares to attract attention. ”

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