Press Notice No: 14/09
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Posted 16:06 GMT

Portland Coastguard have coordinated the rescue of three individuals from a military landing craft (LCP 02) which broadcast a mayday signal at 14.51 this afternoon alerting the marine emergency service that they were taking water at the time.

The 38 foot craft was about two miles off St Albans Head at the time of the incident. It was reported that the bow ramp door was open and water was entering the vessel.

The Swanage Coastguard Rescue Team also provided intelligence and provided a watching brief from the cliff top to the Operations Room at Portland.

Both Coastguard helicopters from Portland and Lee On Solent were scrambled to attend and the RNLI all weather and inshore lifeboats from Swanage was also requested to launch. The Poole Coastguard Rescue Team were also sent to the local landing site area to where any casualties would be flown. Two casualties were taken off the craft by helicopter to Poole where they were checked, and both appear to be uninjured. One person remained on board the landing craft.

The landing craft was taken under tow by the Lulworth range safety boat `Smit Cerne which began to hold the disabled vessel stern first in order to keep the vessel afloat.

The warship `Sutherland is now on scene whilst the 17 Port and Maritime Regiment at Marchwood from whence the marine unit personnel were stationed have been informed. Investigations as to the cause of the incident are continuing.


Posted By: Mark Clark

For further details contact:
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency Press Office
023 8032 9401