FAST RESCUE AND RECOVERY CO-ORDINATED BY SWANSEA

Swansea Coastguard was alerted to a Mayday emergency call just after 6.50pm this evening from the vessel ‘Hedrik’ which had run aground after hitting an object in the water, and was listing and taking on water.

Even though the Mayday received was faint, Swansea Coastguard located the stricken vessel in Instow, North Devon and requested the Appledore RNLI lifeboat to launch. A nearby yacht named ‘Flute’ and a Rescue Helicopter from RAF Chivenor also stood by to offer assistance if required.

The lifeboat was on scene within 10 minutes of the Mayday being received and the three crew members on board were safely transferred to the lifeboat.

Steve Matthews, Swansea Coastguard Watch Manager said,

“This was an incredibly fast and slick recovery operation. The crew members are safe and dry and we are currently assisting an effort to re-float this vessel using its salvage pump. Thank you to all teams involved”

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