Although some two hours steaming from the position, HMS Penzance proceeded at best speed to offer the Prospect’s crew the technical assistance of her Damage Control, Engineering, Seamanship and Diving teams.
The Faslane based warship arrived just in the nick of time as, although Inshore Lifeboats from Largs and Tighnabruaich were using their pumps to try to stop the fishing vessel sinking, it was clear that they were fighting a losing battle. The Prospect’s bow was already underwater and the lifeboat crews reported that she had sunk a metre in the previous fifteen minutes and that, without immediate assistance, she would sink within the next ten.
A four-man team, made up of a variety of specialists from the Royal Navy crew, transferred a portable emergency pump to the stricken vessel and, within 15 minutes, had the Prospect back on an even keel – literally. The crews of both the fishing vessel and the Life Boats were provided with hot drinks and food, which was particularly welcomed as the fishermen had spent a short period in a two-man life-raft prior to rescue.
Having averted her certain sinking, HMS Penzance then took the fishing vessel in tow and cautiously moved her away from the beach that she was being blown towards. Once clear of immediate danger, she was towed to a mooring buoy where the Royal Navy Engineers were able to identify and rectify a fault with a sea-cock in the vessel’s bilge. With the situation stabilised, responsibility for Prospect was handed back to the crew and the boat-yard from which she had sailed, after a major upgrade, that very morning.
The Commanding Officer of HMS Penzance, Lieutenant Commander John Craig Royal Navy, said:
‘My team reacted swiftly, calmly and with the utmost professionalism – exactly as they have been trained to do. The reconnaissance party had minutes in which to assess an extremely hazardous situation and make decisions that ultimately resulted in the saving of not only a fishing vessel, but also the livelihoods of the fishermen. The Life Boats had already exhausted all avenues of approach prior to our arrival, and it was a joy to see their faces light up when we were able to help them bring this challenging situation to a happy conclusion.
‘Today’s seamless co-ordination between the stricken vessel, the Coast Guard, a passing yacht, the Life Boat crews and, of course, the Royal Navy, was an excellent example of what can be achieved when people pull together for the common good. It was a pleasure to be able to help.’