MAN RESCUED AFTER GOING UNDER A FERRY
A man,
whose small boat collided with a ferry, had a lucky escape this evening after
being thrown into the water, going under a ferry and surfacing on the other
side.
Portland Coastguard
received several 999 calls earlier this evening reporting that a small grey
inflatable dinghy had suffered engine failure whilst in the path of the
Sandbanks chain ferry. The two occupants were unable to start the engine in
time causing it to collide with the chain ferry. The two men were thrown into
the water, one going under the ferry before surfacing the other side.
The chain
ferry, ‘Bramblebush
Bay ’ plucked one of the
men from its own path. The other man was rescued from the water by a passing
yacht. Both Poole RNLI All Weather Lifeboat and Poole RNLI Inshore lifeboat
were diverted from another job, so were able to get to the scene quickly with
Coastguard Rescue Officers from Poole . The
lifeboat assisted by removing the dinghy after it had become trapped in the
chains and took it ashore with one of the casualties, the other being on the
ferry. Both men were wet but unharmed and soon departed carrying their deflated
dinghy back to the car.
Maddy
Davey, Portland Coastguard Watch Manager says:
“The two
men were very unfortunate that their boat broke down where and when it did. In
this kind of situation quick communications are key and so a handheld vhf
radio, mini flares or a mobile phone in a waterproof bag would have proved
invaluable in contacting the Coastguard and requesting immediate assistance.”