Lifeboat crew team up with other rescue services to tow cruiser away from houseboats

Chiswick RNLI rescued a group of people on board a small boat which had developed a fire on board on the Thames.

The group were desperate for help after discovering a fire on board their craft. There was smoke coming from the stern of the vessel and so it was essential that the three people on board were taken off while it was still safe to do so.

The crew had spent several hours conducting an exhausting search in heavy rain on Saturday morning 6 October 2018. After being stood down they came across the cruiser as they passed Battersea heliport. When they approached, the crew could see smoke coming from the stern of the vessel.

The RNLI crew quickly assessed whether it was safe to approach; at that point there were no signs of a rapidly spreading fire so it was possible to get close to the bow of the vessel. The three people on board were immediately evacuated into the lifeboat before the source of smoke in the stern of the vessel developed further.

After the three were safely on board the lifeboat the crew's concern turned to the risk the smouldering vessel posed to others. It was in the middle of the navigation channel and in danger of drifting towards some nearby houseboats. They set up a tow with a long line and called for assistance from the Marine Police and the London Fire Brigade"s Fire Dart.

The three boaters were getting wet and cold in the open RNLI E Class lifeboat, so when the police boat arrived they were transferred to its closed wheelhouse.

Firefighters on Fire Dart arrived soon after and boarded the damaged vessel to make it safe.

The three boaters were uninjured and were able to return home by public transport. Their vessel was moored up for later assessment of the damage.

Chiswick RNLI helmsman Tony Coe said, "It was clear that the people on the smoking vessel should be taken off immediately. We could see it was still safe to approach close to the bow and take the people off before the fire might spread. We also were able to attach a tow line to the bow to ensure there were no consequences for other river users. Teamwork with the other marine emergency services ensured that there was a good outcome from a potentially serious incident."

To learn more about the lifeboat station go to www.chiswicklifeboat.org.uk. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and Government and is entirely supported by voluntary contributions.

October 16, 2018