Both Hartlepool lifeboats launch to coble fire

Both Hartlepool RNLI lifeboats were paged on the morning of 9 August following notification by Humber Coastguard that flares had been fired from a boat off Hartlepool.

Shortly afterwards, it was discovered that a 21ft fishing coble was well alight, and that the skipper had been taken off by another fishing vessel.

Both lifeboats launched at 10.35am and were alongside the stricken vessel within a few minutes.

On arrival at the scene, a crewmember from the inshore lifeboat was placed aboard the fishing boat that had rescued the skipper to provide casualty care, but none was required.

Both the lifeboats stood by, as a fire-fighting tug from the river Tees had been requested by the Coastguard to extinguish the fire. However, the coble later sank.

Hartlepool RNLI deputy launch authority Steve Pounder said: “Once again, a rapid response from the volunteer crewmembers meant we were quickly on scene to assist and keep the area clear of other vessels whilst the tug extinguished the fire. The inshore lifeboat recovered some debris from the sea.”

Both lifeboats returned to the Ferry Road lifeboat station at 12.10pm.

This story was taken from the latest issue of Fishing News. For more up-to-date and in-depth reports on the UK and Irish commercial fishing sector, subscribe to Fishing News here or buy the latest single issue for just £3.30 here.