Sub aqua club praises lifeboats and coastguard for help with their stricken boat off Bridlington: 'professional and calm approach'

Divers have thanked Bridlington and Flamborough lifeboat volunteers and the coastguard for keeping them safe while they explore the water.
Some of the sights captured by the divers: this is the hatch of the U-boat UC-39, sunk off Flamborough in 1917.Some of the sights captured by the divers: this is the hatch of the U-boat UC-39, sunk off Flamborough in 1917.
Some of the sights captured by the divers: this is the hatch of the U-boat UC-39, sunk off Flamborough in 1917.

Members of Selby Sub Aqua Club will present the RNLI with a donation after the teams were called out to help their broken-down boat 13 miles South-East of Bridlington last Sunday.

Peter Baker, from the club, said knowing the coastguard and lifeboat teams are there when they are needed, provides confidence that professional resources are available when events like these happen at sea. This helps divers follow their safety training and keep calm should an incident occur.

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“Knowing that they’re out there provides us with that security and allows us to keep calm,” he said.

Peter BakerPeter Baker
Peter Baker

He and five other club members planned to dive at the site of a German UC Type II submarine off the Bridlington and Flamborough coastline when there was an electrical failure on their boat - The Black Pig - and the engine would not start.

Standard procedures in this situation require a 'Mayday' call being transmitted to the coastguard which can be heard by other vessels in the area.

Mr Baker was in the water when the boat broke down. Realising what had happened, he tethered himself to a buoy and waited for help to arrive.

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The intensive and meticulous safety training that divers go through, along with over two decades of experience, meant he knew what to do and that he was not in any trouble, he said.

The mine tube of the U-boat UC-39.The mine tube of the U-boat UC-39.
The mine tube of the U-boat UC-39.

“At no time did I feel I was in danger. My training and 23 years of diving experience provided me with the knowledge and faith in my crew and the emergency services responding to the situation professionally and calmly.

“This is exactly what happened.”

Another diving boat - Zeus - responded to the call and Mr Baker was taken on board.

The inshore lifeboat from Flamborough also arrived and towed The Black Pig back to shore.

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Mr Baker thanked the RNLI as well as the team from the Zeus boat, and will be making contact with the crew to thank them for their support.

The Black Pig is berthed at East Bridlington and Mr Baker, from Selby, is a frequent visitor to the area so that he can dive.

He described it is a wonderful spot for diving, and that excellent visibility around the area at the moment is providing those delving beneath the surface with amazing insights into marine wildlife and local maritime history.

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