Newsbite: Rescue boat has to be... Rescued!

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[McGherkin]

Excerpt from the Plymouth Herald

Rescue boat has to be... rescued
A FIRE and rescue boat had to be rescued itself - just hours after being officially re-launched.

Earlier yesterday dignitaries including the Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Cllr Ken Foster, gathered to toast the Vigiles' first major refit.

But by 12.30pm the Plymouth Lifeboat was tasked to aid its crew after it suffered engine problems.

The Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service vessel broke down near Jennycliffe Bay and had to be towed into the Cattewater.

A spokesman from Brixham Coastguard said: "We got the call at about 12.30pm to say Vigiles had broken down with propulsion problems. She was unable to manoeuvre.

"The Plymouth Lifeboat assisted and towed her to the Cattewater."

The refit, undertaken at Plymouth Yacht Haven, has seen Vigiles fitted with new engines and overhauled jet drives. She has also had a new paint job.

A more powerful searchlight has also been fitted to increase her search and rescue performance.

The boat is located in Plymouth and is used to protect Devonport Naval Base, the oil storage facilities and the commercial shipping which use the port.

Its high-speed and superior performance also enables it to carry out a rescue role.

It recently completed her sea trials. The vessel has been in operation since 1999.









 

Of all the things you can mess up...

[Kevinmcg_ships]

One thing which really annoys me is the frequent use of the word "Launch" by the media to refer the naming ceremony of a vessel, or when it enters service.

The vessel has already been launched since it was built!!!  Why can't these reporters get into their head that it's not possible to describe a vessel as 'launched' when it obviously has already been launched?? 

Even my local newspaper recently reported that a £1m luxury yacht (which was visiting in the area) will be 'launched' later this month - even though it was built in the Netherlands only a few months ago??  I felt like screaming when I saw the article.

Sorry for my rant, but it really make my blood boil when the use of the term "launched" is abused.

[McGherkin]

Too right!

[Minime]

so just a questions, do people actually consider this embarrassing for the coast guard or whatever who owns that boat? It got an engine failiure, no shame in that

[McGherkin]

But for both engines to fail so soon after a refit, on a boat which has to be in service at all times is incredibly embarrasing for Plymouth Yacht Haven and also the engine manufacturer, especially as from the RNLI's video it looks like all the dignitaries were on board at the time, there are going to be some serious questions asked. So not too embarrasing for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, but highly embarrasing for the refitters

[Minime]

yeah, probably not good for their business.