Sinking of the Sea Bird

**Mrs FG** · 22-04-12, 21:48

http://www.iwradio.co.uk/articles/tw...g-vessel-sinks

Heard this rescue on Channel 16 - we had been in the same area (near the Submarine Barrier off Portsmouth) about an hour previously in a Force 6. Coastguard, RNLI and independent lifeboats did an awesome job (and the bloke on the fishing boat was commendably calm, when his boat was sinking faster than I've ever heard of a boat going down in the Solent). One of the Portsmouth lifeboat crew had gone onto Sea Bird to assist and, I gathered, the boat sank underneath him, and he had to be picked out of the water himself by the Gosport lifeboat.

It was really comforting to know just how good our rescue services are.

**FlowerPower** · 22-04-12, 22:04

Good to hear that everyone was rescued succesfully, which is the main thing.
But, still sad to lose a boat, and now there's 1000litres of diesel slowly leaking into the Solent.

**onesea** · 23-04-12, 08:05

Originally Posted by FlowerPower

Good to hear that everyone was rescued succesfully, which is the main thing.
But, still sad to lose a boat, and now there's 1000litres of diesel slowly leaking into the Solent.

IMHO if the 1000 lts leaked out yesterday it will have soon dispersed by weather action. If its leaking slower the weather should still break it down.

Glad every one got of does seem to have gone down quick.

**Seajet** · 23-04-12, 10:05

I'm very sorry for the blokes losing their boat; it's shallow there, so presumably she can be refloated.

In the meantime is she a hazard, and if so is she marked ?

I'll be trundling along that way soon, and could do witout interfacing my keel with a steel fishing boat !

**BlueSkyNick** · 23-04-12, 12:56

I also listened to this, but could only hear the CG side of the discussion.

Was impressed by the operator's approach, and how quickly the LB's were on the scene. Quietly amused that she sought clarification to cancel Bembridge's big boat with the pump on board because it wouldn't have been any use.

**Boomshanka** · 23-04-12, 13:11

Video here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-17814511

Very close call by the look of it, the lifeboat guy stepped off the stern as she went down

Good job all round, with no loss of life.

**Richard Shead** · 23-04-12, 13:23

I dont understand why they kept the last chap on there, I think it was clear it was going down?

He says from the comfort of his own desk, in the dry with the air con just talking the chill off.....

**Sandy** · 23-04-12, 14:54

Originally Posted by RichardShead

I dont understand why they kept the last chap on there, I think it was clear it was going down?

More drama, gets on TV! Says old cynic.

**Seajet** · 23-04-12, 15:01

Originally Posted by Gorf

More drama, gets on TV! Says old cynic.

As indeed it made it to the South Today news; I presume a skin fitting or the hose to it failed ?

Sea Bird looked quite high in the water when they approached, without knowing the details one can't say if it would have been a good idea towing her with haste to the beach...

**Twister_Ken** · 23-04-12, 15:06

Originally Posted by Seajet

As indeed it made it to the South Today news; I presume a skin fitting or the hose to it failed ?

Sea Bird looked quite high in the water when they approached, without knowing the details one can't say if it would have been a good idea towing her with haste to the beach...

Big ol' tub to tow with an ILB, spesh when half full of water.