Popgun

The St Peter Port Lifeboat “Spirit of Guernsey” was launched at 20:37 local time on Saturday 19th April 2014 to assist a 24ft yacht with three people on board, which had lost its rudder approximately 6 miles South of the Hanois Lighthouse.

The Spirit of Guernsey reached the casualty at 21:04, and commenced towing the vessel to St Peter Port.

The Lifeboat and casualty arrived safely at St Peter Port at 22:46, with the Spirit of Guernsey back on station at 23:11

Popgun entering Victoria Marina after being towed by the St Peter Port lifeboat. Picture by Tony Rive

“Spirit of Guernsey” launched to search for a possible missing Kayaker

1510 A call was received from the local fishing boat, ”Genesis”, 200 metres out from Saints Bay ,that they had just located an up turned Fishing Kayak, it appeared that the kayak had been in the water for a short time. As there was no one with the kayak, an immediate search was commenced for a possible missing kayaker.

1515 Lifeboat Red

1527 Lifeboat pier-heads… proceeding to saints Bay area. St John`s Ambulance and Rescue Boat along with the Crossma Helicopter tasked to the area, Police and Marina Staff starting a shore search.

1542 Lifeboat on scene liaising with “Genesis”

1546 A call was received from the Police advising Guernsey Coastguard that the kayaker had managed to swim ashore and was safely at home. Once Guernsey Coastguard had confirmed this information all units were stood down.

1555 “Spirit of Guernsey “returning to St Peter Port.

1633 Lifeboat refuelled and back on station

The empty kayak being brought back to St Peter Port - photo by Tony Rive

Men in the Water

At 0439 on the morning of Sunday 13th October, 2013, Guernsey Coastguard received a call from Guernsey Police requesting assistance from the Lifeboat.

Two men swimming off Belle Greve Bay on the east coast of “Guernsey” being reported in difficulties.

The St Peter Port Lifeboat departed St Peter Port at 0505 and stood by in the area, at 0521 the Lifeboat returned into St Peter Port after the Casualty’s had been helped ashore by the Police and St John’s Ambulance & Rescue Service.

Dismasted Trimaran 23miles South-west of Guernsey

The St Peter Port Lifeboat is presently “on- service” to assist a 30` trimaran that has become dis-masted and unable to proceed.

1302 The Lifeboat Crew was called.
1325 “Spirit of Guernsey “ left the Pierheads.
1450 On scene with the casualty.
1507 Tow established

The boat was dis-masted some 25nm South West of Guernsey.

The lifeboat towed the boat back to Guernsey where it was handed over to the St Peter Port Harbour marina staff

Swamped boat and missing people off Sark

2046 A call was received by mobile phone to Guernsey Coastguard, from two persons, sat on rocks, at the northern extremity of Sark ,( Beq Du Nez). They informed the Coastguard that their boat had been swamped, and that they had managed to swim to the rocks, but two other persons were unaccounted for.

This information initiated a substantial search.

2108 The “Spirit of Guernsey”, “Flying Christine III” and “Air Search One” were all tasked to search an area around the north of Sark.

It was known that the two persons on the rocks were OK, so the priority was given to search for the two missing persons still unaccounted for.

2135 A call was receive from Brecqhou that they could hear voices at the bottom of the cliff, below Jacobs Landing on the north east coast .Very fortunately, these were the two other people from the swamped boat. They were picked up by a Sark rib and taken to the “Flying Christine” and Lifeboat respectively. The woman`s medical condition worsened, resulting in the “Flying Christine “ being rushed back to St Peter Port, for further Medical attention.

The two casualties on the rocks, north Sark, were assisted by the Sark Fire brigade and the Sark Doctor gave them a clean bill of health, they remained in Sark.

The Search and Rescue service in Guernsey is very grateful for all their assistance given by all crews to bring this search to a successful conclusion as it could have very easily ended with tragic consequences.

Spirit of Guernsey backs away to let Flying Christine III refuel - photo by Tony Rive

2 call outs during a foggy evening

Tahini

At 2017hrs on Tuesday 3rd September 2013, Guernsey Coastguard received a Pan call from the local boat “Tahini” requesting assistance as he was lost in the fog returning from Herm.

The Life Boat had just returned from exercise and was launched to assist in finding the casualty; the Lifeboat departed at 2020hrs and found the “Tahini” off the Lower Heads at 2035hrs escorting them back to St Peter Port Harbour arriving at 2057hrs.

Stingher

At 2220hrs on Tuesday 3rd September 2013 Guernsey Coastguard received a call reference the local Rib “Stingher” overdue from a trip back from Herm with one person onboard.

The Lifeboat launched at 2320 making a search around Herm & Jethou, at 0221 this morning the Lifeboat found “Stingher” upturned on the Aiguillons Rock (approximately 1/2nm SW of Jethou) with the skipper next to the Rib.

The Lifeboat rescued the skipper then returned to St Peter Port Harbour transferring the casualty to St John’s Ambulance and Rescue Service at 0240.