Humber Rescue volunteers faced one of their busiest mornings of the year, rescuing four people in two separate incidents within a 12-hour period on the River Humber.
The first call came at 01:23 when Humber Coastguard tasked Humber Rescue to reports of a damaged vessel aground near Brough. A crew of three launched immediately but, with water levels too low to reach the casualty vessel, a complex operation began.
Working closely with Humber Coastguard, Hull Coastguard Rescue Team, and the casualties onboard, a full mud rescue operation was coordinated. The stranded vessel had first grounded the previous day, and with the tide ebbing once again, the situation became increasingly difficult. The casualties onboard had depleted their food reserves and had started to succumb to the cold.
Over the ebbing tide Humber Rescue launched both their main lifeboat and smaller D- Class, while Hull Coastguard Rescue Team deployed their specialist mud rescue equipment. Conditions were extremely challenging, diminishing water, thick, deep mud and a 200-metre trek in full kit, but thanks to the skill and determination of the volunteer teams, all casualties were successfully recovered on mud sleds by hand. Once brought ashore, they were checked over and taken safely home.
During the initial tasking, reports came in of a potential second stranding, now with the tide flooding. The crews made full speed to the boathouse for a quick turnaround; refuelling and loading salvage pumps. The crew were immediately retasked at around 10:00 to the vessel now taking on water near Howdendyke, with two people onboard. Our main rescue boat made top speed of 42knots, covering the 21 nautical miles to the casualty vessel in just over half an hour.
On arrival, the lifeboat crew found the vessel partially submerged, with a 45degree list to port. Both casualties were on the stbd side of the vessel. While assessing the situation, it suddenly deteriorated, the boat began to sink rapidly, forcing the pair to leap onto the rescue boat. One casualty was grabbed just before they entered the water, while the second was quickly recovered moments later. This quick deterioration shows just how dangerous our river can be, as we arrived just in time to avoid casualties entering the water.
In an intense few seconds, the crew skilfully manoeuvred the lifeboat alongside, pulling both casualties to safety. Unfortunately, the stricken vessel fully sank within seconds of the rescue. Only their paddle board was recovered.
Both casualties were returned to Humber Rescue station by 11:00, where they were assessed by a crew paramedic. Shaken but unharmed, arrangements were made to get them home safely.
Louis Ramsden, Coxswain during the incidents, said: “These were two very different but equally demanding jobs. The mud rescue was long, exhausting, and physically draining, but we knew we had to get those people off safely, no matter how tough the conditions were. Then, only hours later, we were suddenly faced with a life or death situation that developed in seconds. It was dramatic and intense, and I’m extremely proud of how the crew reacted with such skill under pressure. Throughout both callouts the crew remained professional and acted as a team – a team i am happy to be a part of.”
Every one of our volunteers gave up over 12 hours of their time to help those in need. I can’t thank them enough for their commitment and teamwork, without them, the outcomes could have been very different.
The yacht owner said: “A massive thank you to the Humber Rescue crew and everyone involved in coordinating our rescue. Without them, there’s a real possibility we might not be here today. They came just in time, moments before my wife and I would have ended up in the water. What makes us take our hats off to these incredible volunteers and lifesavers is knowing that they’d already worked through the night rescuing two other people in an operation lasting more than nine hours. Yet they still had the strength and commitment to quickly refuel, both boat and body, and launch straight back out to us. We’ll be forever grateful.”