Many thanks to Ian Davies for the great image above of the RNLI tractor about to bring the Hoylake Lifeboat back to shore. This shout happened last week during the very strong winds and high tide. Here’s the report of the shout:
31/03/2010
After a Mersey River tug reported a 35ft vessel adrift in the River, RNLI Hoylake Lifeboat launched to assist fire service Marine Fire 1.The 35 ft vessel had apparently broken her moorings on the West side of the river and drifted towards the estuary when reported by the crew of the Svitzer Bidston to Liverpool Coastguard.
Liverpool Coastguard requested that Marine Fire one investigate the casualty and assess the situation, the vessel was unmanned and was a danger to navigation being in a position between Charlie 18 and Charlie 20 channel buoys.
As the weather was deteriorating rapidly, at 0345 on 31/03/2010, Liverpool Coastguard requested the launch of Hoylake’s All Weather Lifeboat to recover the vessel from this dangerous position, after launching into a Northerly 6 – 7, Coxswain Dave Whiteley made best speed towards the casualty.
Two crew members were put aboard the MFV (Motor Fishing Vessel) to clear the foredeck and attach a tow, once under tow, the RNLI Hoylake Lifeboat towed the casualty towards Tranmere moorings just as a lock became available in Langton, she was then towed into Husskinson number one dock where she was met by her owner.
With the situation resolved, RNLI Hoylake Lifeboat returned to station, the weather at this time was NNW 8 – 9, gusting 10.
As it was one of the highest tides of the year we recovered our relief Lifeboat Royal Shipwright at a location on the beach at Kings Gap.
Here’s the lifeboat ashore at Kings Gap (more news below):
Some repairs are needed to the promenade wall toward Meols and a few target areas have been marked out by the council.
Large numbers of dead starfish have been spotted on the sand. The excellent Hilbre Bird Observatory blog explains a little more in this post.
For those of you who like to see boats in the Mersey then events for your diary should include the Liverpool Boat Show (official site) and the visit of Cunards latest luxury liner Queen Victoria on the 26th July. Thanks again to Ian for mentioning these to me – I’ll be aiming to see both these events.
Just a tiny correction!
The image is of the Talus tractor travelling out to the Lifeboat in order to winch her ashore !
Great pictures! Rare for any kind of boat to beach at The King’s Gap never mind a lifeboat!
Do you know, I did wonder! Correction made.