Investigation launched after pilot boat mayday (From Western Telegraph)

Investigation launched after pilot boat mayday

2:12pm Monday 25th February 2008 in

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A state of emergency was declared in the Milford Haven waterway this lunchtime after the pilot boat, the Hubberston started taking on water.

The 20 metre, 60 tonne craft was heading out to sea when it encountered difficulties and issued a mayday call.

The engine room of the vessel was flooding and the pumps unable to cope with the amount of water coming aboard.

The crew of four managed to beach the boat at Watwick beach. Another pilot boat, the Hakin, was in the area and came alongside the stricken vessel.

Angle lifeboat was tasked but not launched as the Hakin was so close.

The four crew were evacuated and the pilot boat successfully beached as the tide dropped.

Captain Mark Andrews, Milford Haven Harbourmaster, said that the crew were uninjured but slightly shocked.

He said that an investigation into why the vessel ran into difficulties was underway and salvage pumps were aboard ready to pump out the vessel. He said that the port authority were looking into ways to prevent oil from the engine room from getting into the water.

"We plan to refloat the vessel on the incoming tide this afternoon,"he said. "Once she is pumped out we will find out why she was taking in water in the first place and effect a repair."

He said operations at the port this afternoon were unaffected by the incident but all piloting has been suspended until later today.