Makeshift flotilla help rescue crew after Penzance trawler sinking - VIDEO
7:20am Monday 3rd September 2012 in News
By Greg Fountain, Reporter/Photographer
A picture of Chloe T taken by one of the 771 aircrew of RNAS Culdrose as they arrived on scene
A Penzance-based trawler's sinking was caught on camera this weekend, after the five crew members had been airlifted off the stricken vessel.
The Chloe T - which was featured in a nude calendar produced by the Duchy Quota Company in 2008 - began to sink 17 nautical miles south west of Bolt Head, on the south coast of Devon on Saturday afternoon.
Brixham Coastguard had a "distress alert" from the vessel just before 4.20pm reporting that she was taking on water in the engine room.
They tasked a lifeboat from Salcombe, alongside a Royal Navy rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose, to the scene.
A warning was also broadcast to other shipping in the vicinity, asking them to head for the Chloe T .
The 689-ft container ship Maersk Patras , Brittany Ferry Armorique, Brixham fishing boats the Amber J and Lady Maureen and commercial
angling boat the Dart Angler all responded.
After the sinking trawler lost power the pumps failed and the crew were forced to abandon ship, taking to the liferaft.
The ferry Armorique and container ship Maersk Patras were first at the scene and stood-by the liferaft until the helicopter arrived and winched the crew to
safety.
A video of the Chloe T in her final moments, as she slips beneath the waves
Brixham coastguard watch manager David Colmer commended the crew on their quick reactions, which helped avert a tragedy.
He said: "The actions of this crew almost certainly resulted in them all being rescued from this dangerous situation.
"They called the coastguard at an early stage, all wore lifejackets and took to the life raft when the situation onboard deteriorated."
The coastguard confirmed that the owner of the vessel had been notified and discussions as to salvage were underway.
All five crewmembers were returned to shore unharmed.
