RCR scrambled the rescue team who arrived on site approx 3.30 together with a contractor who had a Land Rover which was attached to the boat. However, unfortunately every time they tried to pull the boat against the current it started to drag the Land Rover back. So back up was called in from York which arrived at 6pm together with other team members.
The boat stern was grounded on the far bank, with it’s bow wedged against the bridge by the force of the river water (which was in flood) resulting in the boat being at a 30 degree angle. The decision was taken to attempt the rescue in two stages so, with a safely line to the bridge and two engineers on-board, the first stage began. This was to pull the boat by the stern towards the opposite bank using a line which was rigged to the Land Rover. After a number of attempts the boat was beached bow first on to the opposite shore with it’s stern wedged against the bridge.
The second stage was to reposition the Land Rover and with a shorter rope swing the stern away for the centre of the river towards the shore and use the engine power to reverse the boat to the small jetty. During a number of attempts the rope snapped, not helped by operating in the dark, the engineers knew that time was now of the essence as the boat was in serious danger of capsizing. Due to the angle it had been sitting at for several hours the outlets had been under water and as a result water had been pouring in and filing up the boat. Finally using the engine power and the Land Rover the boat was finally dragged around and secured to the jetty.
Onboard the bilges were working overtime and loosing the battle to keep the boat afloat, more bridge pumps were installed but the water was still rising. A quick decision was taken and in order to right the listing boat all personnel had to get onboard on the opposite side and use there combined weight to even the boat and lift the submerged outlets clear of the river. A small winch was rigged up to the shore to try and keep the boat level, and after two hours of pumping the boat was finally level, free of water and safe.
At 4.30 the following day RCR received another call from a 57ft boat unbelievably in the exact same location but wedged horizontally against the bridge. The only access via boat or a ladder from the bridge. RCR alerted the rescue services to remove the boaters from the vessel for their own safety. When the engineers arrived on site at approximately 6pm they set to work assessing the situation and preparing for the rescue. The boaters were looked after by the St Johns ambulance team who had been contacted by the fire brigade after RCR explined that the rescue could take several hours. The rescue team having undertaken a rescue the previous day were quickly at work and by following the same procedure - pulling the boat backwards and using the engine power to reverse the boat they got it onto the jetty. The boaters from the previous rescue were still moored up on the jetty waiting for the river waters to recede, and this has to be moved up to make space for the second boat!
It’s worth noting that RCR charges for rescues but over the last year they have rescued 12 boats from critical situations which would have resulted in capsizing or loss of the whole boat. Stephanie Horton MD said “It’s also worth noting that from an insurance point of view a boater must undertake as many measures as possible to mitigate loss or potential loss, and that generally charges for recovery, lifting and rescue of a boat from these dangerous situations are covered by your insurance policies, however taking unnecessary risks can invalidate your insurance claim, so always assess if venturing out on to a river in flood is a sensible action; if your jorney can be avoided then don’t risk it”.
A minimum of three engineers would be dispatched for all rescue activities and RCR’s thanks go to engineers, Trevor Forman for both, Kerry Horton for both, Pete Baker for both, Pete Barnett for 1st, Aaron Forman for both, Mike Adams (contractor) for 1st.
The boat stern was grounded on the far bank, with it’s bow wedged against the bridge by the force of the river water (which was in flood) resulting in the boat being at a 30 degree angle. The decision was taken to attempt the rescue in two stages so, with a safely line to the bridge and two engineers on-board, the first stage began. This was to pull the boat by the stern towards the opposite bank using a line which was rigged to the Land Rover. After a number of attempts the boat was beached bow first on to the opposite shore with it’s stern wedged against the bridge.
The second stage was to reposition the Land Rover and with a shorter rope swing the stern away for the centre of the river towards the shore and use the engine power to reverse the boat to the small jetty. During a number of attempts the rope snapped, not helped by operating in the dark, the engineers knew that time was now of the essence as the boat was in serious danger of capsizing. Due to the angle it had been sitting at for several hours the outlets had been under water and as a result water had been pouring in and filing up the boat. Finally using the engine power and the Land Rover the boat was finally dragged around and secured to the jetty.
Onboard the bilges were working overtime and loosing the battle to keep the boat afloat, more bridge pumps were installed but the water was still rising. A quick decision was taken and in order to right the listing boat all personnel had to get onboard on the opposite side and use there combined weight to even the boat and lift the submerged outlets clear of the river. A small winch was rigged up to the shore to try and keep the boat level, and after two hours of pumping the boat was finally level, free of water and safe.
At 4.30 the following day RCR received another call from a 57ft boat unbelievably in the exact same location but wedged horizontally against the bridge. The only access via boat or a ladder from the bridge. RCR alerted the rescue services to remove the boaters from the vessel for their own safety. When the engineers arrived on site at approximately 6pm they set to work assessing the situation and preparing for the rescue. The boaters were looked after by the St Johns ambulance team who had been contacted by the fire brigade after RCR explined that the rescue could take several hours. The rescue team having undertaken a rescue the previous day were quickly at work and by following the same procedure - pulling the boat backwards and using the engine power to reverse the boat they got it onto the jetty. The boaters from the previous rescue were still moored up on the jetty waiting for the river waters to recede, and this has to be moved up to make space for the second boat!
It’s worth noting that RCR charges for rescues but over the last year they have rescued 12 boats from critical situations which would have resulted in capsizing or loss of the whole boat. Stephanie Horton MD said “It’s also worth noting that from an insurance point of view a boater must undertake as many measures as possible to mitigate loss or potential loss, and that generally charges for recovery, lifting and rescue of a boat from these dangerous situations are covered by your insurance policies, however taking unnecessary risks can invalidate your insurance claim, so always assess if venturing out on to a river in flood is a sensible action; if your jorney can be avoided then don’t risk it”.
A minimum of three engineers would be dispatched for all rescue activities and RCR’s thanks go to engineers, Trevor Forman for both, Kerry Horton for both, Pete Baker for both, Pete Barnett for 1st, Aaron Forman for both, Mike Adams (contractor) for 1st.
