| No 3/2020 DATE 09/02/20 01:32 – 18:10 ALB ALB requested to launch to assist 20m Fishing vessel 'Headway' with four persons on board with mechanical failures. Casualty located 5 miles SE of Fifeness. Situation discussed with skipper of casualty vessel as steering had been lost due to broken belt on main engine, the engine was stopped to facilitate the repair but would not restart. Crew attempted to restart engines for two hours before Coastguard was contacted, they issued Pan Pan with no reply from other vessels. |  Click on map to zoom |
ALB took the casualty in tow proceeding to Pittenweem. Coxswain requested assistance from Dunbar ALB because of the tonnage of the vessel, the worsening weather forecast and tidal situation at Pittenweem.
Dunbar arrived on scene 0425hrs and 2nd Cox transferred to Dunbar to assist with detailed local knowledge of Pittenweem Harbour.
Decisions were taken by both coxswains to abort Pittenweem (0450hrs) and set a slow pace for Methil due to tidal restrictions, FTN & Forth Ports consulted regarding weather and tidal heights.
Both boats dodged off Methil in freshening winds until sufficient water to enter. Dunbar was towing with Anstruther set up as a brake with a bridle across the casualty's stern, the casualty was safely tied up in Methil with the Forth Ports Deputy Harbour Master Leanne Taylor in attendance.
ALB returned to Anstruther at 1300hrs but had to wait for the tide to reduce, crew recalled at 1630hrs and rehoused in fresh conditions, notified for service at 1810hrs
Conditions
Weather Rain/Hail
Visibility Fair
Wind Force 3 Gentle breeze deteriorating to strong gale 9
Wind direction SW
Sea state Slight
Dunbar arrived on scene 0425hrs and 2nd Cox transferred to Dunbar to assist with detailed local knowledge of Pittenweem Harbour.
Decisions were taken by both coxswains to abort Pittenweem (0450hrs) and set a slow pace for Methil due to tidal restrictions, FTN & Forth Ports consulted regarding weather and tidal heights.
Both boats dodged off Methil in freshening winds until sufficient water to enter. Dunbar was towing with Anstruther set up as a brake with a bridle across the casualty's stern, the casualty was safely tied up in Methil with the Forth Ports Deputy Harbour Master Leanne Taylor in attendance.
ALB returned to Anstruther at 1300hrs but had to wait for the tide to reduce, crew recalled at 1630hrs and rehoused in fresh conditions, notified for service at 1810hrs
Conditions
Weather Rain/Hail
Visibility Fair
Wind Force 3 Gentle breeze deteriorating to strong gale 9
Wind direction SW
Sea state Slight