Portland Coastguard made a broadcast to any vessels in the area that could assist and the tug MTS Vengeance responded that they would proceed and that they would stand by the vessel awaiting the arrival of Weymouth RNLI all weather lifeboat with pumps.

There was an immediate difficulty in communicating with the crew on board as no one could speak English and therefore, Portland Coastguard used the National Interpreting Service in a connected telephone/VHF radio call with the crew to pass instructions and explain intentions.

Weymouth Lifeboat assisted the fishing vessel with pumps and escorted the fishing vessel to Portland Port.

The UK Border Agency and Dorset Police were alerted along with the Survey and Inspection Branch of the MCA by Portland Coastguard, the vessel is now alongside at Portland Port where it has been inspected by the three organisations.

Mel Paddock, from the Survey and Inspection Branch said: ‘This initially was a vessel in distress and the Coastguard responded to their request for assistance. Other agencies attended Portland Port and carried out inspections on the vessel prior to the MCA.

‘We have detained the vessel which is dangerously unsafe.

‘There are a number of deficiencies, the main ones being, the watertight integrity of the vessel, insufficient lifesaving equipment, insufficient fire fighting apparatus.

‘It is vitally important that we ensure that the lives of any seafarer are not put at risk by unseaworthy vessels.’

www.fishupdate.com is published by Special Publications. Special Publications also publish Fish Farmer, the Fish Industry Yearbook, the Scottish Seafood Processors Federation Diary, the Fish Farmer Handbook and a range of wallplanners.

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