The crew of the Margate Lifeboat provided assistance to a Belgian fishing trawler that ran aground on a sandbank off the North coast of Kent with fears at one stage its crew would have be taken off.
The 20metre long, 190 tonne Belgian trawler Marreje Altje contacted Dover coastguard’s late on Wednesday afternoon March 23 reporting they had run aground while fishing on the South knock, part of the Kentish Knock sandbank around 14 miles north east of Margate.
The skipper of the trawler, which had a crew of four on board asked for help in refloating.
The Margate All-weather RNLI Lifeboat was launched, and once on the scene assessed the situation.
The trawler had grounded at high water, meaning they would have to wait around 12 hours before they had the opportunity to refloat. As the trawler settled on the falling tide there was concern that it would heel over excessively on the steeply shelving bank, endangering the crew on board when the tide came in.
Consideration was given therefore to taking the crew of Four off as a precaution . Meanwhile the trawler’s skipper made arrangements for another
Belgian trawler to come and assist them refloat again.
The trawler eventually settled at an angle of 45′ and the Margate lifeboat took soundings around the area and advised the trawler’s skipper on the best route to take to get clear of the sandbank at the next high tide.
Once the situation was established and it was confirmed that the assisting trawler would arrive before the expected time of refloating the life was released and returned to her station.
The Marreje Aalje was later towed clear by the other Belgian trawler and after establishing that no damage had been suffered they continued fishing.
The picture shows the Marreje Aalje stuck on the sandbank in front of the lifeboat bow.
