Emergency services rescue 2 people on sinking boat

16 February 2010

2 people were rescued from a small motor vessel as it sank off the south coast of Jersey this morning (Tuesday 16 February 2010).

Emergency Services had been alerted by a 999 call from the vessel which had broken down off the south coast of the Island, between Noirmont Point and Corbiere. A strong southerly breeze meant that the 15 foot boat was in imminent danger of drifting on to rocks, and the vessel eventually sank.

Jersey Coastguard was in telephone contact with the 2 people on board the stricken vessel throughout the incident, until the point they had to enter the water as the motorboat sank.  The St Helier Inshore Lifeboat crew attended the scene along with the All Weather Lifeboat pilot boats and the Fire Service search and rescue vessel. 

Captain Bob Vezier of Jersey Coastguard said “This major incident, serves as a pertinent reminder to all small boat owners and operators, of the importance of checking the weather forecast before they set out and ensuring they have all the necessary life saving equipment on board: including lifejackets, handheld VHF and flares."