Dive RIB"Scavenger" sank

DJL · 16 February 2003, 15:06

From RNLI site

16:28 Falmouth Coastguard requested that both Falmouth Inshore Lifeboat and Offshore Lifeboat be launched to assist the crew of the Diving RIB “Scavenger” which had reported that it was sinking near the Manacle Rocks. A Rescue Helicopter from RNAS Culdrose and the Porthoustock Coastguard Mobile were also tasked to assist.

The “Scavenger” had reported hitting a submerged object while crossing Mounts Bay earlier in the afternoon, but after advising the coastguard, the crew had decided to continue back to Falmouth. As they passed the Manacles they had slowed down to change fuel tanks and the RIB started to sink by its stern, ending up with just the bow showing above the water. Shortly afterwards the sponson burst and the RIB sank leaving its crew in the water.

Brian · 16 February 2003, 16:43

Dear Bumble Bee,

This is fascinating information.
Can you point us to the website please?

Some of the questions that obviously spring straight to mind are:
What did the rib hit?
Why did it sink by the stern?
Why did the sponsons burst?

Does anyone know the owners/operators?

Daniel · 16 February 2003, 18:05

I too am very intrigued, found the site

http://www.falmouthlifeboat.co.uk/Ac...il.html?id=221

but not much more info.

This occured on Sunday 1st Sept 2002.

Daniel

Oh, if anyone is interested i'm on the Ramsgate Lifeboat site, incorrectly called 'Grays Wish' http://home.online.no/~lawford/rl/il...ports-2002.htm near the bottom entilted 2/9/02 Children in difficulties in water

DJL · 17 February 2003, 15:01

I have emailed the RNLI to see if they can provide any more information. Not holding my breath though.

Seems very odd that the sponsons burst - maybe it was very over loaded.

thorper · 17 February 2003, 15:26

I remember this now - I was diving the week after on the Porthkerris hardboat. The boat went down somewhere between the manacles and porthoustock, just round the corner from porthkerris. The skipper had been up on the cliffs looking for a petrol slick as he was after the engine. From what I remember, he said it was a dorey rather than a rib, but from the dates I'm pretty sure they are the same incident. The boat had come round from lands end, across mounts bay and round the lizard.

The porthkerris people might have some more info.
http://www.porthkerris.com/

If it was a rib, then I guess they damaged the hull at the rear, getting water into the hull cavity and through the transom. The weight of the engine could pull it down then, especially if there was extra kit at the stern. If the sponson was not enough to keep the boat afloat, then the pressure on the bottom of the tubes at 5-10m underwater could be too much for it, hence the burst.

Ricky

Manos · 17 February 2003, 15:55

Although I am not sure about this but I always thought that a purpose built diving RIB should be of better construction (strengthened in much more many places I mean) than a leasure RIB.
But may be I'm wrong.

thorper · 17 February 2003, 16:40

I guess it depends what they hit - the rocks round that part of the coast historically haven't been to kind to boats.

Brian · 18 February 2003, 12:21

I contacted Porthkerris, but "it wasn't me Guv".
This is their reply:

Hi

I am afraid (in fact I am glade to say) you have been missinformed. We do not own a Scavenger Rib, and therefore have not lost one

Heather for Porthkerris Divers

thorper · 18 February 2003, 12:44

Sorry - I wasnt very clear in my earlier post...

I was diving off the Porthkerris hardboat, where the skipper told me the story about a rib being lost - not one of theirs.

Ricky