MFV SUE-ELLEN

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Fishing vessel was threatened to drift aground at Berry Head

On Nov 16, 2023, at 7.50 a.m. UTC the 'Mfv Sue-Ellen' was drifting towards land in pos. 50 24 02 N, 003 28 39 W. At 05.20 a.m. the vessel issued a Panpan call due to a loss of steering, which was received by the Falmouth Coastguard. At 05.39 a.m. the coordination passed to the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) as the position of the vessel was in the Solent area. At 05.42 a.m. the trawler 'Barentszee' (IMO: 8401121) informed the JRCC that they were attending the vessel to assist. At 06.22 a.m. the Dartmouth lifeboat was requested to launch. At 06.29 a.m. the 'Barentszee' was on scene, but unable to assist the vessel due to the current conditions, but remained on standby until the lifeboat arrived. At 06-40 a.m. the helm of the Dartmouth lifeboat expressed concern about their ability to assist the vessel due to the conditions, but would proceed. At 06.42 a.m. the Exmouth ALB was requested to launch. At 07.36 a.m. a helicopter, requested from JRCC, arrived due to the possibility of the vessel running aground at Berry Head. The Dartmouth lifeboat was going to try and establish a tow whilst awaiting the Exmouth ALB. At 07.41 a.m. Dartmouth lifeboat reported a fault with the main radio set and that they were unable to tow the vessel. At 07.44 a.m. vessel was 200 metre from the shore. At 07.46 a.m. the Exmouth ALB set up a tow towards Brixham. At 08.03 a.m. the lifeboat confirmed they had the vessel under tow and did not require any further assistance. At 08.30 a.m. the Brixham coastguard rescue team informedthe JRCC that they were on scene. At 08.44 a.m. the 'Barentszee' confirmed they were tied up alongside. At 08.51 a.m. the Exmout lifeboat and the Dartmouth lifeboat were reassigned to another incident in the area. At 08.53 a.m. the Brixham Coastguard informed the JRCC that the vessel was alongside safely, awaiting repairs to its steering gear in the harbour.