Video courtesy of the RNLI and Penlee Lifeboat
Both Sennen and Penlee lifeboats were called out at 2am this morning to the aid of the stricken coaster which was in close proximity to Gwennap Head and without main engine power...
that was on its way from Antwerp to Ireland with a cargo of san...
Lady Alida which had suffered engine failure...
both lifeboats eventually stood down after the vessel was safely anchored in deeper water...
only to return to the coaster at first light as the coaster was dragging her anchor while waiting for the tug to arrive - it will be a long service for the guys today!...
Lifeboat crews have been taking part in a major rescue operation since the early hours of March 20, 2017, after the "Lady Alida" suffered a complete engine failure enroute from Terneuzen to Waterford with a cargo of sand. The Penlee Lifeboat and Sennen RNLI were called to the position three miles south of Gwennap Head, in the parish of St. Levan, to assist the seven crew members onboard. At 3.20 a.m., at the request of HM Coastguard, Falmouth, the all-weather lifeboat Ivan Ellen was launched from Newlyn. The lifeboat was alongside the Lady Alida just 25 minutes after launching and immediately attached a towing wire. The vessel was towed southwards to safer waters at one knot and was then joined by the Sennen Lifeboat City of London III which also attached a tow rope.
The initial plan was to tow her to Mount's Bay for a safe anchorage but due to the strong SW wind of six Beaufort it was difficult for the lifeboat to turn the vessel.
The HM Coastguard at Falmouth agreed that the Lady Alida could anchor in deeper waters south of Gwennap Head to await the assistance of a tug. The Dutch tug Alp Centre (IMO: 9398541) was deployed from Falmouth and expected on site within seven hours. The lifeboat remained on stand-by with a strong likelihood that she would have to relaunch when the tug has arrived on scene. The Ivan Ellen was relaunched from Newlyn and was making her way back to the Lady Alida after she started dragging her anchor, and the lifeboat was to standby with a tow rope until the tug had arrived around 1.30 p.m. The convoy was heading to Falmouth, ETA March 21
Story courtesy of Timsen on VesselTracker
