Author Archives: colin

“The Spirit of Guernsey” Launched to assist” Belle Mare” a Dutch 12m Yacht

Posted on by July 5, 2015

Sunday 5th July 2015. As the crew of “The Spirit of Guernsey” were completing the callout for the “Deux Haricots” it became apparent that a Dutch yacht, with 3 persons on board and 7mls North –West of Guernsey may require the assistance of the lifeboat. The yacht was becalmed and the yachts engine was unreliable. ”Belle Mare” was proceeding toward St Peter Port at a slow speed with the engine failing intermittently in discussion with the Lifeboat Crew; it was decided that it would be prudent to go to the yachts assistance and not risk problems later in the night when the yacht closed with the north coast of Guernsey when approaching the Little Russel.

0006 “The Spirit of Guernsey” pierheads out bound to assist “Belle Mare”

0037 Lifeboat alongside casualty establishing a tow.

0210 ETA of Lifeboat with the casualty vessel in tow. All persons involved-safe and well.

2ndshout
Photo by Carl Bisson

“The Spirit of Guernsey” Launched to assist ”Deux Haricots” a local 21` Motor Cruiser

Posted on by July 5, 2015

2203 on Saturday 4th July, 2015 a call was received by JESSC from “Trident 5” that a small cabin cruiser had departed from Herm harbour, in a cloud of black exhaust smoke, heading in the direction of St Peter Port. Unfortunately the cloud of exhaust smoke faded and the boat was observed to drift north in the tide through all the associated rocks off the north-west coast of Herm. A torch or other signalling device was being flashed towards the Trident 5, due to the proximity of the rocks and reef the Trident vessel was unable to go to the assistance of “Deux Haricots” Grave concern was raised for the safety of the seven persons on board. A decision was made to launch the Lifeboat to go to the vessels assistance.

2236 “The Spirit of Guernsey” pierheads proceeding to the casualty.

2258 Lifeboat alongside casualty establishing a tow.

2333 Lifeboat pierheads with the casualty vessel in tow. All persons involved-safe and well.

Unfortunately the local “safety at sea” message would appear not to be getting through to some target groups?

“St Peter Port Lifeboat” launched to assist Yacht Wahkong 2

Posted on by June 28, 2015

At 21:45 on Saturday 27th June, Guernsey Coastguard received a Pan call from the Yacht Wahkong 2 approximately 4nm North of Guernsey with engine problems the “Spirit of Guernsey” departed St Peter Port at 22:25 and found the casualty drifting with one person on board at 2245.

After attaching a towline to the casualty the Lifeboat returned to St Peter Port at 23:59 with the Wahkong 2 in tow.

SJARS Inshore Rescue Boat and the St Peter Port Lifeboat “Spirit of Guernsey” Respond to Five Children Stranded on Rocks

Posted on by July 5, 2015

Last evening, Wednesday 3rd June 2015, St Peter Port Lifeboat “Spirit of Guernsey” and the SJARS Inshore Rescue Boat (IRB) responded to a call regarding five children who had become stranded by the rising tide on rocks to the north of Grande Rocque.

St Peter Port Lifeboat landed a crew member on the rocks to provide blankets and reassurance to the stranded children. All five children were able to safely walk ashore, with the assistance of the RNLI crew member, in the late evening once the tide had dropped sufficiently.

Lighting and reception facilities were provided by the Civil Protection Unit who were on exercise in the area.

St Peter Port lifeboat crew taking blankets to the teenagers - photo by Tony Rive
The St Peter Port lifeboat holding station for almost 4 hours to ensure the teenagers were safe - photo by Tony Rive
The inshore rescue boat next to the rocks - photo by Tony Rive

 

“Spirit of Guernsey” called to assist “Grasort”. A 29m converted workboat

Posted on by July 5, 2015

Wednesday 27th May 2015 at 1922 A call was received by Guernsey Coastguard from “Grasort” that she had main engine failure and was requesting assistance as she was unable to proceed. The vessel was at a position 17 miles North West of Guernsey, not far from the main shipping lanes

1927 as no vessels offered assistance to the “Grasort”, the St Peter Port Lifeboat” Spirit of Guernsey” was dispatched to go to the vessels assistance.

1939 Lifeboat Pier heads proceeding to casualty.

2045 Vessel alongside casualty, tow being established.

2100 Tow established- Lifeboat +”Grasort” returning to St Peter Port. The tow is very difficult as the rudder is jammed hard starboard so tow is only making 8 knots.

2359 ETA back in St Peter Port

Grasort

Grasort - 17miles NW of Guernsey

course27May

Assistance of a French yacht, the Kentan

Posted on by July 5, 2015

The St Peter Port Lifeboat Spirit of Guernsey was called out on the evening of Friday 22nd May, 2015 to go to the assistance of a French yacht, the Kentan. The vessel had suffered engine failure and due to light winds and an adverse tide was unable to make way.

As there were no other vessels in the area able to offer assistance, the decision was made to send the lifeboat.

The Spirit of Guernsey was launched at 20:31, and was back on station at 22:06 local time.