Barrow Lifeboat Station’s volunteer crew launched their inshore lifeboat this morning to go to the aid of a fishing vessel which had broken down in Walney Channel.
The request for assistance came from the HM Coastguard base in Holyhead, at 9:40am. The information received was that a 15-foot (4.5 metre) Morebas fishing vessel, with two people on board, had suffered engine failure in Walney Channel at a position west of the Rampside Gas Terminals. It was also reported that the vessel was taking on water.
A Barrow RNLI spokesman said: “The crew was paged and the inshore lifeboat ‘Vision of Tamworth’, was launched at 9:58am with Ben Jackson at the helm, assisted by Paul Wilcock and Lee Minhinnick.
“The lifeboat proceeded towards the scene and shortly before arrival the crew was informed by HM Coastguard that the stricken vessel had managed to restart its engine and was heading north along Walney Channel.
“The lifeboat followed the casualty to ensure it reached the Ferry Pitching, north of Jubilee Bridge, without further incident. The lifeboat crew also checked on the welfare of the people on board the fishing vessel.”
The lifeboat returned to the boathouse at 10:30am where it was cleaned and made ready for the next launch.
The wind at the time of the incident was south-westerly, Force 3, and the high tide was at 10:12am with a height of 7.7 metres.
