On Friday 12th September at 1952, a call was received by Guernsey Coastguard from the Sark Harbour Master’s rib that they were out searching for a Jersey registered 5.5m Ski boat that had contacted the Sark Authorities stating they had broken down just east of Sark. The vessel the Sark crew were looking for had set off from Jersey at 1300. The Jersey vessel had no flares, no radio, and no navigation equipment and was unable to confirm their position. The only method of communication was by mobile phone.

The Ski-boat was eventually locate out by the Blanchard Buoy, located two miles East of Sark. The Harbour Maste’s Rib attempted to tow the vessel to the safety of Sark but due to the very strong currents and weather conditions was unable to proceed.

In this deteriorating situation – the decision was made to send the Lifeboat, to assist the vessels.

2034 Lifeboat Red
2052 Lifeboat pierheads proceeding to the casualty.
2125 Lifeboat on scene, a tow was being established.
2134 Lifeboat returning to St Peter Port, two casualties on board, Ski-vessel under tow.
2210 Lifeboat arrives at the pierheads.
2245 Lifeboat refuelled and back on station

Friday 29th August 2014

2035 A call was received by Guernsey Coastguard from the Crossma that a small French cruiser was unable to proceed. The French vessel was disabled, with a rope around the propeller, 5 miles south of St Martins Point. As no other vessels were in the area, Relief Lifeboat “Daniel L Gibson “was tasked to assist and tow the vessel back to St Peter Port.

2041 Lifeboat Yellow

2100 Lifeboat pier heads outbound.

2120 Lifeboat on scene, establishing a tow.

2224 Lifeboat back in St Peter Port, with the French vessel in tow. St John and Ambulance and Rescue in attendance to check over the three French Sailors. The vessels propeller will be cleared in the morning.

The relief lifeboat Daniel L Gibson was launched at 13:45 on Friday 22nd August 2014 to go to the aid of a French yacht with 5 crew on board which had struck rocks off the East coast of Herm.

The lifeboat was alongside the ”Douz” at 13:59 and put 2 crew aboard with salvage pumps.

Four of the yacht’s crew were transferred to the lifeboat and when the water ingress was under control a tow was established.

The lifeboat arrived back at St Peter Port with the casualty at 15:20 where it was craned out of the water onto the top of the old lifeboat slip for assessment.