Historic Sailing Vessel ‘Leader’ Rescued In A 10-hour Operation

Crew members onboard a historic sailing vessel at risk of sinking have been rescued safely, thanks to Cornwall’s volunteer RNLI crew members.

Crew members from Padstow, Penlee, and Sennen Cove, besides the Falmouth Coastguard, responded to an incredibly urgent request on May 22 from those on the 23m sailing vessel, the Leader.

It started taking on water about 11 miles east of Trevose Head.

The Padstow RNLI dispatched an all-weather lifeboat a little after 7.30 pm.

Penlee Lifeboat Volunteers then safely escorted the vessel and transferred two of their crew on board to aid the eight-strong crew of Leader before handing over to the Sennen Cove lifeboat to provide support to the casualty vessel around the Land’s End back to the Penlee Lifeboat that took over the escort responsibilities again.

Penlee lifeboat was able to safely escort the Brixham trawler to Newlyn, the closest safe harbour that was able to accommodate a vessel of its size.

In a 10-hour shout that involved three RNLI lifeboats, the RNLI’s volunteer crew members brought the casualty vessel and its crew, comprising eight, to safety.

The Leader is owned by the Atlantic Youth Trust, an Irish youth development charity.

The boat was manufactured in 1892.

Without bowsprits, it measures 23 meters in length, making it the biggest Brixham trawler ever built.

Peter Scallan of the Atlantic Youth Trust said that he and his colleagues wanted to thank the RNLI for attending the Leader last night.

The response to the pagers and the professional manner in which the crew members tackled the scenario were much appreciated.

In particular, he expressed his gratitude to the two crew members of the Leader who assisted with the pumping, represented the best of the RNLI and supported the skipper, the mate, and the crew members of the Leader.

On behalf of everyone at the Atlantic Youth Trust, he thanked the RNLI and congratulated them on their 200 years of success in saving lives at sea.

He also sent his best wishes to the crew members attending the garden party at Buckingham Palace.

Reference: BBC, Falmouthpacket

Historic Sailing Vessel ‘Leader’ Rescued In A 10-hour Operation appeared first on Marine Insight – The Maritime Industry Guide

Source: Maritime Shipping News