An All-Weather Lifeboat (ALB) from the Eastbourne RNLI was successfully deployed to assist a large, disabled roll-on/roll-off (RORO) vessel that had experienced an engine fire and total loss of power in the English Channel.
Summary of the Incident and Rescue
The incident involved a 33,000-ton, 217-meter RORO vessel positioned 11 miles southeast of Eastbourne.
- Mayday Call: The distress call was issued at 5:21 am, reporting both an engine fire and a total loss of power.
- RNLI Response: The Eastbourne RNLI’s lifeboat, Esme Anderson, was immediately launched.
- Situation on Arrival: Upon the lifeboat’s arrival, the RORO vessel’s crew had already extinguished the fire, but the vessel was adrift without power. No evacuation of the crew was necessary.
- Vessel Secured: The rescue crew stood by the large vessel for over an hour in rough sea conditions while the vessel’s crew worked to safely deploy the anchor.
- Stand-down: Once the RORO vessel was secured, Solent Coastguard released the lifeboat, allowing the crew to return to the station. The Coastguard remained in contact with the vessel’s crew to monitor repairs being undertaken.
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Source: Marine Insight
