FISHING VESSEL SAVED FROM SINKING

Tyne Tees Coastguard received a report at 10:40 a.m. on 9 June 2001 from the skipper of the 28ft fishing vessel 'Baltic' reporting that she was taking in water at an extremely fast rate around four miles north west of Holy Island with two people on board.

Tyne Tees Coastguard scramble the rescue helicopter from RAF Boulmer and requested the launch of the RNLI all weather and inshore lifeboats from Berwick, as the Berwick Coastguard Rescue team began a shoreline response. A May Day broadcast to shipping in the area brought the assistance of fishing vessels 'On A Promise' and 'Osprey'.

'Osprey' arrived with 'Baltic' very quickly and was able to transfer a pump that assisted with the situation, whilst shortly afterward the air and sea assets arrived on scene. The Berwick all weather lifeboat transferred a second pump to 'Baltic' which maintained the vessel in the water, the rescue helicopter remained on scene until the lifeboat attached a tow to the stricken vessel, which arrived safely in Berwick Harbour at 12:16 p.m.