News

Lifeboat Rises from the Depths

Earlier this week a fisherman dredging for cuttlefish in the Emsworth Channel caught more than he expected. A 17' boat that sunk around 30 years ago had got snagged in their nets. They pulled her to the side of the channel before releasing her back to the depths.

The fisherman contacted the Harbour Patrol who went out at low water and tied a lifting line and buoy to the boat. Returning at high water the mooring barge Regnum was used to lift the boat from the deep and clear the channel of the navigation hazard.

This boat is an ex-lifeboat probably from one of the cruise ships or merchant vessels that docked in Southampton port years ago. As GRP boats gradually replaced the old wooden boats, Belsize Boatyard of Bitterne, Southampton used to take on the old wooden lifeboats. At one time this yard was stacked with the lifeboats and the Solent was awash with these 17ft lifeboats that were then sold on as fishing and day boats.

Looking at the condition of this boat, it probably sunk about 30 years ago.