RNLI springs into action as eight people stranded

Bridlington RNLI was called into action by HM Coastguard this weekend after eight people were left stranded.

On Saturday 29 June at 2.45pm, the team received a report that the town's historic fishing coble 'Three Brothers' had become stuck in the mud at low tide with several passengers on-board who were unable to safely disembark onto the harbour.

Upon receiving instructions from the HM Coastguards, the volunteer crew of three launched the Bridlington RNLI Inshore Lifeboat (ILB) 'Ernie Wellings' at 2.58pm and made haste towards Bridlington Harbour, reaching the stranded coble within 2 minutes. The historic vessel was participating in the annual Bridlington Sailing Coble Festival over the weekend.

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Due to the receding tide, the coble found itself grounded with eight passengers aboard, unable to make a safe return to the jetty in Bridlington Harbour. The situation was further complicated due to all the other boats in the harbour which were also left high and dry due to the low tide and unable to assist the stranded coble.

Fortunately, thanks to the very low draft of the D-Class lifeboat, the volunteer crew of the RNLI managed to reach the stranded coble and all eight passengers were safely transferred from the coble to the Chicken Run pier within the harbour and all were back on dry land by 3.20pm. The volunteer crew then returned to the beach, the lifeboat was recovered, washed down, refuelled and back ready for service.

Ash Traves, Bridlington RNLI Helm, stated: "It was clear, upon reaching the coble, that all the passengers were unable to make safe passage onto the harbour pier. Due to the tide conditions, without our assistance, there was no way they could have disembarked until late evening due to the tide."

Ian Thompson, skipper of the 'Three Brothers' added: "Whilst going astern into our usual mooring, I managed to misjudge the depth of the water and sadly the rudder got stuck in the mud, and I was unable to move the coble any further as she grounded due to the low tide. Thankfully, the volunteer crew of the Bridlington RNLI were soon on the scene and safely transferred everyone back to dry land, not a single person got their feet wet."