Four Belgian fishermen were rescued on Wednesday from their capsized boat by the British coastguard, off the coast of England, in British waters by Eastbourne. The crew of the fishing boat, Morgenster O13 out of Ostend (photo), raised the alarm after the boat capsized in heavy seas. The call was transmitted to both the British Coastguard and the Belgian rescue service at Ostend. When the Coastguard helicopter arrived at the scene, they found two crewmen on the upturned hull of the boat, and two more in the water.
In a video recorded and later released by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, we see a winchman descend to the wreck on a line and, one by one attach himself to the two crewmen on the hull and raise them to safety. The helicopter crew then drop a line to the two men in the water, and they in turn are lifted out of the sea.
All four fishermen were taken to hospital but released the following day, having been treated for hypothermia.
The Morgenster, meanwhile, remains in the water. A decision was due to be taken later today (Friday) as to what ought to be done with it. The wreck lies about 20km from Ostend.
The British coastguard’s own video of the incident can be seen at the website of De Standaard at www.standaard.be/cnt/dmf20181108_03925072.
Alan Hope
The Brussels Times
