TWO FISHERMEN RESCUED AFTER BOAT OVERTURNS OFF NORFOLK
Two fisherman have been pulled from the water after their
boat overturned as it was being towed to safety.
Humber Coastguard was first contacted by the fishing boat
just before 5.45pm this evening via VHF Channel 16. They reported that they
were taking on water just off Hemsby Gap.
The Caister lifeboat was launched and met up with the boat
and managed to get them under tow. But as they were making their way back to
shore, the boat overturned with the two on board ending up in the water. By
this time, the Winterton Coastguard Rescue Team along with the Gorleston all-weather
RNLI lifeboat had been sent to assist.
Caister lifeboat crew managed to pull the two from the
water, who were both wearing lifejackets. They were said to be shocked but
otherwise unhurt. The boat was towed to the beach at Caister, where they were
met by the Winterton Coastguard Rescue Team and an ambulance crew.
Mike Puplett, Watch Manager at Humber Coastguard, said:
“It’s unclear at this time what happened to cause this
fishing boat to take on water and then overturn. However, the fact that both
men on board were wearing lifejackets meant they could be pulled from the water
quickly.
“It’s also essential for boats to make sure they’re fitted
with the necessary communications equipment so in an emergency, you can quickly
raise the alarm. Where possible, all vessels should be fitted with VHF digital
selective calling (DSC) radio equipment which can send a distress alert and, if
linked up to GPS, an accurate position of your vessel to the Coastguard with
one touch of a button.”