THE PROFESSIONALS AT WORK

I have been sailing and involved in various boating activities since I was 12 years old (not that long ago) and I have thankfully never needed the services of the Coast Guard, RNLI or VLB.  However on Wednesday 22^nd January I had cause to engage them all.  Like many rescues they are often proceeded by carefully prepared plans, then something goes wrong.  My passage plan was simple.  Offshore rib on route from Hartlepool Marina to Sunderland Marina, distance 14miles, predicted passage time approximately 80 minutes.

Inshore forecast 5 knots of wind from the NW outlook 5 knots W.  Fuelled up on the pontoons and chatted to one of our local fishermen, who said after a short intake of breath through his teeth, “I wouldn’t go to sea now, can you not see the front coming in and there’s wind on the way.”?  I looked up at the now dark sky and couldn’t read anything at all.  I left the lock at 17.30 hours confident in my forecast; after all I would be there in just over an hour. 

Cleared the lock and channel and set course for Sunderland Pier.  Made great time, then without warning (at least to my knowledge) the wind increased and came out of the North with heavy sleet.  It was later recorded at 44 knots of wind.  I got progressively slower as the rib tried to do a somersault off the top of each wave.  As my floatation suit started to fill with a brown smelly substance, I thought about putting into Seaham.

Decision time, should I press on to that oh so close flashing light of Sunderland pier, only 5 miles ahead or turn to port and head for Seaham.  A momentary lapse of concentration, (my wife tells me men can only think of one thing at a time) and the rib was pointing at the moon.  A moment later and it touched down stern first with the engine drinking a large quantity of North Sea.  Apart from the wind, all was quiet and for a moment it was quite pleasant.  Then a wave over the beam brought me rapidly back to reality.

Pan, pan, pan, pan, pan, pan.  A professional gentleman from Humber Coastguard enquired of my situation and position, and within minutes Sunderland Lifeboat was dispatched, (in reality it took about 40 minutes for them to reach me but felt like 3 days) I had radio contact with Sunderland Lifeboat and I gave them the slow 10 second count and my position was confirmed.  There then followed an exceptional piece of seamanship and professionalism as I was taken on board and my rib taken in tow.  Best speed back to Sunderland was 5 knots with the rib in tow and taking over an hour, during which time I explored the contents of my stomach several times.  I was met on shore by the Coastguard and VLB and was given the best cup of tea ever and a debrief.

Many thanks to all concerned.

Allan Henderson, Hartlepool Marina.