Four men rescued after engine explodes
Yachting & Boating World: Eastbourne RNLI were called out to a mayday distress call on Sunday afternoon. Four men were rescued by the RNLI after their boat’s engine exploded seven miles offshore.
Eastbourne’s all-weather lifeboat responded to a mayday distress call and attended the fishing boat. An RNLI spokesperson said: “The four fishermen were seven miles south-east of Sovereign Harbour when the engine of their boat emitted a loud bang.
“Fearful that a disaster was about to follow, the occupants put out an all stations distress alert on their VHF radio.”
Dover Coastguard and a boarder agency vessel Searcher nearby both picked up the call, with Eastbourne RNLI being asked to attend the scene.
Searcher waited near to the stricken vessel until volunteer crews arrived and was later stood down. After climbing aboard, RNLI crewmen checked everything was secure before rigging a tow and taking the vessel back to the harbour. Despite being a bit cold, none of the men were injured during the incident.
