The 19 meter long supply vessel Kitty Petra caught fire while off Rhyl, Wales. The fire started in the vessel’s engine room damaging one of the vessel’s engines. The Kitty Petra requested assistance with the RNLI lifeboats from Rhyl and Llandudno responding. The crew of the Kitty Petra were able to contain the blaze and were escorted back to Mostyn by the the lifeboats. No reports of injuries or pollution released.
The 87 meter long, 3015 dwt cargo vessel Sea Breeze sent out a distress call off the Lizard Peninsula off Falmouth after the vessel began to sink. The Sea Breeze was carrying 2750 tons of limestone bound for Shoreham when it suffered water ingress in the engine room. The vessel’s pumps were unable to control the flooding and the crew requested assistance. The RNLI lifeboats and coastguard helicopters were dispatched to the scene. Additional pumps were delivered, but were unable to stop the flooding. The five crew from the Sea Breeze were transferred off the sinking ship. The salvage tug Vortex from Falmouth and HMS Tyne were reported standing by the Sea Breeze.
The passenger ship Lady Helen struck bottom off Pembrokeshire, Wales. The Lady Helen was en route to Skomer Island from Martin’s Haven with 48 passengers when it struck a rock. The vessel sent out a distress call with the RNLI lifeboats from Angle and St David along with several vessels in the area. The passenger ship Dale Princess was first on scene and pulled the Lady Helen off the rock. The Dale Princess took the Lady Helen under tow and headed back to Martin’s Haven. However, the Lady Helen had suffered hull damage and began to sink. It was decided that all 48 passengers on the Lady Helen should be transferred to other vessels which had arrived on scene. All passengers were safely transferred. No reports of injuries or pollution released. The Lady Helen was beached near Martin’s Haven to prevent it from sinking. The RNLI brought additional dewatering pumps to control the flooding so that the Lady Helen can be pulled further up the shore.
