Boat sinks in Portsmouth mooring incident
A MAYDAY call scrambled emergency responders to the Portsmouth coastline yesterday.
Crews were called to the mouth of Langstone Harbour after a boat collided into a moored vessel, causing serious damage and leaving the passengers in need of rescue.
Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (Gafirs) arrived along with one of the harbour master’s vessel, with the RNLI in support.
Although everyone was rescued and nobody needed medical assistance, one of the vessels sank before it could be brought ashore.
Adam Houghton, owner of the moored Anglers Edge Charters, says the damage will set him back around £10,000.
The 39-year-old charter skipper, from Havant, said: ‘I was moored up and the boat cut across my mooring lines. That was what kept it afloat for so long.
‘I was on my way down to the harbour when it happened – I didn’t realise how bad it was until I arrive.
‘This sort of thing has happened before, it’s not uncommon, but it’s put me out of business until August at the earliest.’
In an incident report, a Gafirs spokesman wrote: ‘It became quickly apparent that the vessel was at immediate danger of sinking.
‘Both of their [Gafirs] boats attended scene shortly after to assist.
‘Unfortunately, despite a rapid response from the local harbour master vessel and Gosport Lifeboat, with the support of the RNLI, these efforts were futile and it sunk shortly after.’
The second vessel, a catamaran, was safely removed and taken to a nearby marina for damage inspection.