Rnli

[Stubby]

dover lifeboats first call of the year.

 

at 3am this morning a collision happened in the channel near dungeness power station. our sister station was called first to attend.

 

the collision was a tug towing a barge, when a commercial vessel crossed over the tow, the tow was some 400m long, the commercial vessel then got snagged on the tow wire, this then started to pull the barge and the tug behind it. the tug crew cut the tow as the commercial vessel didnt respond to radio calls and signals from the tug.

the commercial vessel is at anchor and awaiting divers to asses the damage.

 

the tug has had some considerable damage, it has lost its rudder and lost a prop, it is now getting ready to be pulled back to dover by another tug, the barge is being pulled in by a seperate tug.

 

lifeboat is standing by all vessels as there is a serious risk at this time.

 

dover lifeboat was launched at 09.45am, after dungeness lifeboat was stood down.

 

Who is at fault here rich ? Would it be the vessel that crossed the tow or was the tow too long ?

[Rich2484]

Vessel that crossed the tow. As the tug had all lights and warnings up. They have a series of light indicating limited manoverabilty and that they are towing. It is then this that tells another vessel. The vessel didn't take any notice.

[Stubby]

Vessel that crossed the tow. As the tug had all lights and warnings up. They have a series of light indicating limited manoverabilty and that they are towing. It is then this that tells another vessel. The vessel didn't take any notice.

 

Ok mate . What I thought . Could have been a lot worse possibly .....

[Rich2484]

Ok mate . What I thought . Could have been a lot worse possibly .....

 

Yeah. The tug is knackered, crane has been cut off, no rudder, no props. Well and truly smashed up.

[Stubby]

No lives lost though ....

[Janso]

Good stuff gents; I crewed an inshore rib before joining up and continued for a while whilst on leave until politics and a new hon sec saw me leave! Too far to join the Penlee crew now at Newlyn for shouts but do my bit as a cliff and water tech for the Coastguard and also volunteer for our counties 'Mountain' Rescue team. Any MR or CG members on the forum?

[WillTimberlake]

I've just spent an hour reading all of the comments and looking at the pics!

 

Fair play to you and all the other volunteers buddy. It's such a great job you all do - people like you should be getting paid £1000's per week, instead of the posh rat assess running round a pitch!

 

Keep up the great work Rich & Team.

[Rich2484]

I've just spent an hour reading all of the comments and looking at the pics!

 

Fair play to you and all the other volunteers buddy. It's such a great job you all do - people like you should be getting paid £1000's per week, instead of the posh rat assess running round a pitch!

 

Keep up the great work Rich & Team.

 

Thanks, but it's not a money thing. We would do it anyway.

[WillTimberlake]

Thanks, but it's not a money thing. We would do it anyway.

 

Yes, and that makes you even more respectable! Top guys

[Dan White]

Jeesh! What was the commercial vessel Rich?

Was the tug in the TSS and the other chap crossing? What a clown!