Amy Howson 2011 - First Sailing Trip Drama

Passengers boarding AMY HOWSON Ready to enter South Ferriby lock

On Tuesday 14 June at 1730 hours AMY HOWSON entered the lock at South Ferriby to commence her first evening sailing trip of the season. A full compliment of passengers from the Barton Chamber of Trade were greeted with a warm, sunny evening with light winds, perfect for a relaxing trip on the Humber. Leaving South Ferriby she turned to port, hugging the south bank and made her way upriver around Read's Island.

Exiting South Ferriby lock the mainsail is hoisted AMY in full sail and on her way

At the north-east end of the island near Winteringham a fault with the starboard leeboard mechanism resulted in AMY HOWSON drifting onto a sandbank. By the time the crew had rigged up a block and tackle to lift the leeboard the tide was ebbing fast and they were stuck on the sandbank. VTS Humber were informed of the situation, who in turn alerted the Humber Coastguard, who sent an Inshore Rescue Boat to evacuate the passengers, however, with the tide ebbing fast they were unable to get close enough to AMY to carry out an evacuation. At this point the rescue services made the decision to deploy a Sea King Search and Rescue helicopter from RAF Leconfield and, as evening light faded, the passengers along with some of the crew were airlifted to the shore.

As the tide ebbs a telltale line across the sandbank Humber Rescue vessel cannot reach Amy Howson

Air lift of passengers in progress as the skipper looks on Sea King Rescue Helicopter in position above Amy Howson

Passengers on the way up to the helicopter Back on terra-firma at South Ferriby

Scunthorpe Photos

Alan, the Sailing Master, and Derek stayed on board overnight, floated off the sandbank at 0630 and returned to South Ferriby safe and sound. AMY HOWSON was checked over by the authorities and, apart from repairing the leeboard mechanism and a few minor recommendations, was given a clean bill of health. The repairs will be undertaken this week and she will be back on the river this weekend.

Our sincere thanks go to VTS Humber, the Humber Coastguard, Humber Inshore Rescue and Sea King 'Rescue 128' for their consummate professionalism.

The HKSPS would like to point out that no one was hurt or in any danger (even if they had remained on board overnight with the crew) and procedures were followed to the letter. Although we wish to gain maximum publicity for our 40th Anniversary this wasn't exactly the way we had planned it with full media coverage of the drama on TV, radio and in the local newspapers. On a lighter note, and to put our booked and future passengers at ease, the Barton Chamber of Trade members thoroughly enjoyed their brief excursion and some of them have already re-booked for another trip.