MAN OVERBOARD RESCUED AT SCARBOROUGH


A man has been winched to safety off Scarborough today after falling overboard from an angling vessel called Don’t Panic.

 

At 4.24pm Humber Coastguard overheard the angling boat on VHF channel 16 stating that a man had fallen in the water and was hanging on to the boat but was unable to get back aboard.  The remaining crew member was unfamiliar with the marine environment and unable to give an accurate position except that it was Scarborough area.

             

Humber Coastguard broadcast a radio request for assistance from other vessels and requested the Scarborough RNLI inshore lifeboat attend and the rescue helicopter from RAF Leconfield, which was nearby.  Several local vessels joined the search and the rescue helicopter was able to locate the boat by homing in on radio transmissions from Don’t Panic.  They winched the man from the water and transferred him to hospital.  Scarborough RNLI inshore lifeboat escorted the boat back to the harbour.

 

Humber Coastguard Watch Assistant Clive Stephenson who was operating VHF channel 16 today says,

 

“The remaining crewmember onboard the Don’t Panic did an excellent job to help his colleague, in spite of his limited knowledge of radio distress procedures and the vessel’s position.  A speedy response from vessels in the area, the RAF helicopter and the RNLI lifeboat also contributed to a successful rescue. 

 

When venturing to sea, it is essential to have a working knowledge of maritime communications and to know your position at all times.  In an emergency you will rely on these two vital skills to ensure a swift rescue.”

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