The RNLI were called out to a 33ft diving boat outside the harbour
Eleven people were rescued from a 33ft diving boat which sank in a
matter of minutes just outside Lowestoft harbour. The boat went down so quickly
that those aboard had no chance to make a Mayday call, but their plight was
noticed by the Lowestoft lifeboat which was on exercise nearby.
“It looked like he was coming in”,
said lifeboat coxswain John Fox, “the next thing it was down at the stern and
they were bailing out”. Seven people dived overboard but four others were
trapped in the wheelhouse as the boat sank by the stern. Fortunately they
managed to escape through a small wheelhouse window.
All were safely rescued from the
sea by the lifeboat Spirit of Lowestoft around a quarter of a mile north east
of the harbour, with four later being taken to hospital for treatment for
diesel ingestion and shock. “If they had been further offshore it could’ve been
a different story”, said Mr Fox, “it was as lucky as that really”.
