Oh buoy! Spearfisher hunt and tough tow in packed weekend for RNLI

Tuesday 05 July 2022

Searching for a suspected missing spear fisherman and a three-hour battle against the waves to tow a 12m boat in the middle of the night were among the challenges lifeboat rescuers had to deal with in was a very busy weekend.

The RNLI was called on Saturday at 18:54 after a ‘diver below’ marker buoy had washed up at St. Brelade’s Bay.

Missing fisher?

With no swimmer or diver in the area, there were fears that a spear fisherman may have got into trouble.

According to the team, "the crew made best speed to Noirmont point to begin a shoreline search towards Beauport."

Once complete, the team were stood down by the Jersey and the crew returned to the station. Fortunately, it later emerged that the surface marker buoy had blown off a boat earlier in the day.

Motorboat loses power

There was no rest on Sunday – shortly after a training exercise, there was another call-out at 13:22 to help a motorboat that had lost power.

"There were no other vessels in the vicinity that were able to assist due to the large swell and therefore the Tamar-class all-weather lifeboat was tasked to assess and assist," the RNLI team explained.

"The crew made their way to the vessel which was located close to passage rock. Once everyone was confirmed to be safe and well, the Coxswain made the decision that undertaking a tow was necessary and the safest way to assist the casualties."

Towing into the early hours

Rounding off the day was a call to assist a 12-metre vessel with engine problems near the Desormes Buoy.

Amid its difficulties, the vessel had drifted to the north of the Paternosters by the time the lifeboat arrived.

After checking on the pair on board, the coxswain decided that the vessel should be towed back to St. Helier – but conditions were challenging.

"With the swell and tide now against the crew, the tow back to St. Helier took three-and-a half hours," the crew said.

"The crew were back on station in the early hours of Monday morning."