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Courageous II wrecked near Padstow: Crew 'in danger' | Courageous II wrecked near Padstow: Crew 'in danger' |
(about 5 hours later) | |
The skipper of a fishing boat has told how he and three others were dramatically rescued after it smashed against rocks in a "raging" sea. | |
Owner Ron Bygott said a lifeboat crew "certainly" saved his life and those onboard the Courageous II. | |
He said the boat and the wheelhouse had broken in half after it ran aground on the north Cornwall coast. | |
The RNLI said the four-strong crew was rescued "in the nick of time" as the boat broke up. | |
Mr Bygott said: "A lifeboat turned up in about 15 minutes, and it's lucky they did because my boat and the wheelhouse broke in half. | |
"The wheelhouse was attached to the main mast. If that had gone we would probably have gone with it." | |
Mr Bygott said the sea was "quite mountainous" and the lifeboat crew had "certainly" saved their lives, rowing over the rocks to pluck them to safety. | |
'Immediate danger' | 'Immediate danger' |
He added that a friend's ashes had been onboard the vessel and were found amongst the debris. | |
Mr Bygott had been planning to scatter them at sea. | |
Mike England, Padstow lifeboat's mechanic, said: "This was a very speedy rescue as the four men were in immediate danger with the boat literally breaking up under their feet. | Mike England, Padstow lifeboat's mechanic, said: "This was a very speedy rescue as the four men were in immediate danger with the boat literally breaking up under their feet. |
"Fortunately thanks to skilful boat handling in very shallow water we were able to get them off the boat and ashore in minutes and they are all well." | |
The vessel, which is believed to date from the 1940s, was en route to Cornwall to take part in Mayday celebrations. | |
Mr Bygott said they had left Bristol on Sunday but experienced worsening weather conditions. | |
They attempted to anchor at Stepper Point in the Camel estuary but a gearbox failure meant they were quickly driven onto rocks just outside Padstow and forced to issue a mayday call at about 04.45 BST. | |
Wreckage from the 15.2m (50ft) boat was washed up on a local beach. | |
Mr Bygott said: "I'm shocked and upset, that's 26 years of my life." | |
The Courageous II has been a regular feature at Padstow's Obby Oss Mayday festival for the past 26 years. | |
Mr England said: "They're regular visitors to Padstow, usually appearing for our annual Mayday celebrations and it's very sad to see their boat in such a terrible situation." | |
The vessel was carrying 900 litres (198 gallons) of fuel and coastguards worked with the harbour authority to contain a "small oil slick" coming from the wreck. | The vessel was carrying 900 litres (198 gallons) of fuel and coastguards worked with the harbour authority to contain a "small oil slick" coming from the wreck. |
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has been informed about the incident. | |
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