High speed response helps mine-damaged trawler to safetyThe fast response time of the high-speed Atlantic 21 was put to good use at Harwich last October when the honorary secretary of the station decided to make use of the rigid inflatable after a mine severely damaged a trawler.

The decision earned him, and all the crew members at the station, a letter of thanks from the Institution's chief of operations.At about 1930 on 1 October 1988 the trawler Niblick sent a Mayday on VHP saying that a mine had exploded, causing extensive damage and that the vessel was sinking.

Her position was about four miles north of Shipwash Light Vessel.

Speed The Harwich Waveney lifeboat./o/w Fison was requested by the coastguard, but the station honorary secretary. Captain R. Shaw, assessed the weather conditions (wind SE Force 3, calm sea and good visibility) and informed the coastguard that he was also launching the Harwich Atlantic 21 British Diver II for speedy response.Nothing further was heard from the casualty and the extent of the damage and injuries was unknown so the Atlantic 21 proceeded at all speed with the Waveney following.

The Atlantic made a good passage and arrived on the scene at about the same timeas a helicopter, which placed a winchman on board after some difficulty negotiating the trawler rigging.

Once alongside a crewman from the Atlantic went on board to find that the skipper had assessed the damage, which included blowing the 6 cylinder Lister engine off the mounting beds, and hoped the ingress of water could be contained. He was in need of a tow to beach the vessel, or make the port of Lowestoft.

Mayday The Atlantic was able to help further by transferring the skipper to negotiate a tow with a nearby trawler - which had received a Mayday relay, broadcast by the Waveney at the coastguard's request, and was already retrieving her gear to proceed and assist.

The Atlantic, with the Aldeburgh lifeboat James Cable also now in attendance and the Harwich Waveney nearing the scene, all stood by until the tow was passed, and the helicopter winchman agreed to the Atlantic crews' proposal to be lifted from the lifeboat rather than negotiate the disabled trawler's rigging again.

With the tow connected, and the trawlers moving towards Lowestoft. the Harwich lifeboats were stood down while Aldeburgh's Rother provided initial escort of the casualty..