Dover Lifeboat

A "Jolly" joint service with Ramsgate Lifeboat

Taken from the “Story of the Dover lifeboats” by Jeff Morris available from the Fundraising Branch's Shop.

At 4-07pm on January 11th 2001, the 14 metre ‘Trent' class Relief lifeboat “Earl and Countess Mountbatten of Burma”, on temporary duty at Ramsgate Lifeboat Station, put to sea, under the command of Coxswain Ron Cannon and headed out into rough seas and an ENE gale, visibility being greatly reduced in heavy drizzle. There was a swell of between 2 and 3 metres. The casualty was the 29 metre converted tug “Jolly”, which had broken down off Deal. The lifeboat-men quickly located the disabled vessel and a tow-line was passed across and secured, the lifeboat then towing the vessel slowly southwards towards Dover .

As they approached Dover Harbour, Coxswain Cannon requested that the Dover Lifeboat be called out, to take over the tow and then take the vessel into the harbour. At the time, the relief 52ft ‘Arun' class lifeboat “Ralph and Bonella Farrant” was on temporary duty at Dover and she put to sea at 5-23pm, under the command of Coxswain David Pascall, the lifeboat meeting up with the Ramsgate lifeboat and her tow, 3 miles east of Dover. The two Coxswains agreed, that in view of the prevailing conditions, the Ramsgate lifeboat would continue to tow the disabled vessel, with the Dover lifeboat then leading them into the harbour. All went well, until, less than a mile from the harbour entrance, the two lifeboats were requested to give way to a Ferry which was just about to leave the harbour. Coxswain Cannon at the helm of the Ramsgate lifeboat, had to make a 360º turn, to get clear and then bring the converted tug back on course again, to enter the harbour. But, during that turn, in the very heavy seas, the mast on the former tug broke and fell over the side, although it remained attached at the base, the mast the dragging in the water.

All three boats then entered the harbour safely and, once inside, the Ramsgate lifeboat-men shortened-up the tow-line, while the Dover lifeboat-men got a line onto the stern of the casualty, to help with berthing the vessel. As they made for the allocated berth, the wind caught the ex-tug and blew her southwards, towards a jetty, Coxswain Cannon keeping as far to the north as he could, to keep the casualty clear. However in doing so, the Ramsgate lifeboat got very close to a harbour wall and the tow-line had to be cut, the lifeboat striking the wall and she received some minor damage.

On seeing this Coxswain Pascall put the Dover lifeboat into reverse and the ex-tug was pulled clear. As he then took the Dover lifeboat forward again, to try and push the ex-tug into the berth, the vessel's mast, still hanging over the side, dug into the sea-bed and the vessel swung round sharply to port, striking the Dover lifeboat and causing damage to her starboard guard-rails. The tow-line was immediately cut and the lifeboat went full astern, to pull clear. Fortunately the ex-tug's mast, which was stuck fast in the sea-bed, acted as a pivot and the gale then blew the vessel round and alongside the berth, where she was quickly secured by the shore-helpers from the Dover Lifeboat Station. The Ramsgate Lifeboat then set-off back to her own station, arriving back at 7-40pm, the Dover Lifeboat returning to her own berth at 7-05pm. The RNLI's Operations Director later sent ‘Letters of Thanks' to Coxswain Ron Cannon, of Ramsgate and to Coxswain David Pascall, of Dover, for their excellent seamanship, working in very poor conditions, in a confined area, both men exhibiting great leadership, the crews of both lifeboats working extremely well together, during this excellent service.