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St Peter Port Lifeboat, “The Spirit of Guernsey”, and Channel Islands Air Search Investigate Reports of a Potential Grounding at Speed

St Peter Port Lifeboat - Guernsey Posted on by

Late yesterday afternoon (Friday) at 1628, Guernsey Coastguard received a telephone call from a member of the public concerned that they had seen a small boat strike rocks, at speed, northwest of Chouet.

The St Peter Port Lifeboat and Channel Islands Air Search were tasked with searching the area for any signs of wreckage or people in the water.

After a thorough search of the area and with favourable tide, wind and visibility it became clear that there was no one in danger in the vicinity.

St Peter Port Lifeboat and Channel Islands Air Search were stood down at 1805.

Pic by Tony Rive 30-06-17
The St Peter Port Lifeboat Spirit of Guernsey searching for a possible missing boat and Person(s) north of Grand Rocques after reports from people ashore that a small white boat had hit rocks and disappeared from view about 1 mile north of Rousse Headland.
Airsearch 1 also conducted a search of Guernsey’s north coast before returning to the Airport for a Crew Change.
Both Search Parties were stood down before Airsearch 1 left the airport with its fresh crew as it was though, the report had been a False Alarm with Good Intent.

Pic by Tony Rive 30-06-17
The St Peter Port Lifeboat Spirit of Guernsey rolls in the Moderate Sea conditions off Grand Rocques during a search for a missing boat and Person (s) after a report from people ashore in Guernsey a Boat had hit ruck’s and disappeared from view.

Pic by Tony Rive 30-06-17
Lifeboatmen aboard Spirit of Guernsey look towards the shoreline at Grand Rocques for any sign of a missing boat or People ashore following report’s from 3 people that a White boat had hit rocks off Guernsey’s Northwest coast and sunk.

Pic by Tony Rive 30-06-17
Lifeboatmen lookout towards the Shoreline at Grand Rocques after a report from ashore that a small White boat had his rock’s about 1 mile north of Rousse Headland and disappeared from view. With the tide falling and tidal stream heading West, the Lifeboat searched from outside Rousse/Grand Harve Harbour to Grand Rocques for any sign of the boat or Person’s.
Nothing was found.

Pic by Tony Rive 30-06-17
Six Lifeboatmen plus their Coxswain on the Flybridge of Lifeboat Spirit of Guernsey plus one on the Aft Deck during a search for a boat or wreckage and Person(s) in the water or on shore near Grand Rocques. Nothing was found or spotted before the Lifeboat returned to St Peter Port harbour.

Pic by Tony Rive 30-06-17
Lifeboat Spirit of Guernsey at speed passing La Platte Beacon in the Little Russel as it returns to St Peter Port Harbour following a False Alarm Air and Sea Search off Guernsey’s Northwest coast.

Pic by Tony Rive 30-06-17
Lifeboat Spirit of Guernsey passing Bordeaux on its way back to St Peter Port Harbour following an Air and Sea Search off Guernsey’s Northwest coast.

“The Spirit of Guernsey”  launched to carry out a search for two persons believed to be missing overboard from a yacht on the west coast of Sark

St Peter Port Lifeboat - Guernsey Posted on by

0056 A call was received by Guernsey Coastguard from a yacht on the west coast of Sark that they had lost two crew members overboard.

0057 Lifeboat Red

0108 Yacht confirms they still have two persons missing overboard

0113 Lifeboat at Pierheads proceeding to the passage between Sark + Breqhou (Gouillot Passage) to commence search

0114 Local craft Access Challenger (Buz White) proceeding to assist search.

0116 Additional assets requested, Flying Christine lll, Leopardess, Sarnia, Breqhou Chief, . All requested assets arranging crews and proceeding, except for Breqhou craft that was unavailable.

0129 Lifeboat on scene commencing search north of the Gouillot Passage

0131 Contact made with ATC advising them that Airsearch, may be required at 0430 ( first light )

0136 Sark Sea-fisheries launched to assist in the search.

0140 Lifeboat in Harve Goselin, communicating with casualty, appears that missing persons are on shore. Sark Constable to confirm. “Y” Boat from the Spirit of Guernsey being prepared to proceed ashore to retrieve casualties.

0146 FClll proceeding to Sark.  Liaising with Spirit of Guernsey as “On Scene Commander”. Sarnia + Leopardess standing by to proceed.

0201 All crew from yacht “Microbe” (Casualty) Accounted for. No medical issues. All assets stood down and returning to St Peter Port.

0236 “Spirit of Guernsey” arrives back in St Peter Port. All assets stood down.

Guernsey Search and Rescue Services are very grateful to all parties who participated in this incident, for their time and commitment, which fortunately resulted in a successful outcome but could easily have been; in other circumstances a tragedy. 

“St Peter Port Lifeboat” launched to assist yacht

St Peter Port Lifeboat - Guernsey Posted on by

At 07:17 on Sunday 28th May, Guernsey Coastguard received a call from the yacht “Lady in Red” 1 nm northeast of Guernsey with a rope around the propeller.
The Spirit of Guernsey departed St Peter Port at 07:55 and found the yacht with (1) crew member on board at 08:12.
The Lifeboat was able to cut the yacht free before towing the casualty to St Peter Port Harbour arriving at 09:05.

“St Peter Port Lifeboat” launched to assist Local fishing vessel

St Peter Port Lifeboat - Guernsey Posted on by

At 06:17 on Saturday 27th May, Guernsey Coastguard received a call from the local fishing vessel “Sandra J” the vessel was just south of Guernsey with a rope around the propeller.
The Spirit of Guernsey departed St Peter Port at 06:45 and found the casualty off Jerbourg point with (2) crew on board at 06:57.
The Lifeboat was able to cut the rope then towed the vessel back to St Peter Port harbour arriving at 07:37.

“St Peter Port Lifeboat” launched to assist “Local Vessel”

St Peter Port Lifeboat - Guernsey Posted on by

At 1805 on Sunday 7th May 2017, Guernsey Coastguard received requests for assistance from a local vessel approximately 8 miles north of Guernsey with a rope around the propeller.

The Spirit of Guernsey departed at 1840 and found the casualty at approximately 1930, after attaching a towline to the casualty the lifeboat returned to St Peter Port with the vessel in tow arriving at 2045.

Pic by Tony Rive 07-05-17
The Lifeboat Spirit of Guernsey towing local Fishing boat past Roustel Beacon as both vessels head for St Peter Port Harbour.

Pic by Tony Rive 07-05-17
Lifeboat Spirit of Guernsey towing Fishing boat into St Peter Port after attaching a Towline approximately 8 and a half miles north east of Le Platte Fougere Lighthouse.
The vessel’s propeller had got caught up with a 1 Ton Rubbish Bag whilst the skipper was returning to St Peter Port after a day’s Fishing Trip.

Donkey Diver’s donation

St Peter Port Lifeboat - Guernsey Posted on by

Donkey Diver’s Dive Instructor Steve Bougourd handed a cheque to Jim Le Pelley following ongoing RNLI/Padi Sea Survival Courses held in Guernsey. Flanking the two men aboard the St Peter Port Lifeboat Spirit of Guernsey are, Lifeboatman Jack Sparks (Right) and Perspective Crewman Stuart Carre. Photo by Tony Rive

Pic by Tony Rive 11-04-17
(L-R) Perspective Lifeboat Crewman Stuart Carre,
Donkey Diver’s Dive Instructor Steve Boagourd, Guernsey Lifeboat Station Management Group Chairman Jim Le Pelley and Lifeboat Crewman Jack Spark’s, on the Aft Deck of the St Peter Port Lifeboat Spirit of Guernsey.

Pic by Tony Rive 11-04-17
Dive Instructor Steve Bougourd (2nd left) from Donkey Diver’s shaking hands with Guernsey’s Lifeboat Station Chairman of the RNLI Management Group Jim Le Pelley after handing over a Donation cheque following an Ongoing RNLI/Padi Sea Survival Diving Course. Flanking the Steve and Jim are Lifeboat Crewman Jack Sparks (Right) and Perspective Crewman Stuart Carre on the aft Deck of the St Peter Port Lifeboat Spirit of Guernsey.