RNLI Crew Rescue Children From Stranded Cruiser
Motor cruiser runs aground off Fulham's Crabtree Wharf
At 10.55 on Sunday 21st January Chiswick RNLI lifeboat was called to assist a motor cruiser that had gone aground off Crabtree Wharf in Fulham.
During the passage to the scene the lifeboat’s starboard engine started to miss fire and blow smoke from the exhaust. The life boat continued on one engine as it was near the casualty vessel.
Helmsman Glen Munroe said “One crewman was placed aboard to determine our options. As there were two adults and four small children on board (aged 2,4,6 and 8) it was decided that the it was best to evacuate the boat while the lifeboat could still some alongside. Once beached the cruiser’s engine would have to be stopped and the occupants would have soon become very cold”
The faulty engine was used to maintain position in the falling tide, once all were aboard the lifeboat the three crew and six passengers returned to Chiswick pier on one engine.
The family were taken ashore and the duty Lifeboat switched with the relief boat.
The crew returned to the scene some hours later with the replacement lifeboat to recover the vessel once it was floating on the flood tide. The lifeboat towed the cruiser back to Chiswick Pier where the owners recovered their boat and continued their passage.
The RNLI has 233 lifeboat stations including four on the Thames. Chiswick RNLI lifeboat became operational on the 2nd January 2002. Since then it has responded to over 1,000 emergency calls. The four Thames lifeboats together have responded to over 3,500 calls. The RNLI is entirely supported by voluntary contributions.
January 23, 2007
