Another stupid boater

ANOTHER narrowboater had to be rescued by a lifeboat after taking to the sea on the Bristol channel with no facilities.

Portishead Lifeboat had to go to the rescue of a boater who took his 40ft narrowboat on the Bristol Channel and became stranded, with no facilities such as a VHF radio or even basic navigation lights, Rob McLean of the Boat Safety Scheme tells us.

Falling tide

Lifeboat crews were actually training at their base on the channel when they were called out to rescue the boater who had become stranded on the falling tide.

A member of the the lifeboat crew stayed on board the narrowboat as the lifeboat dragged it to shore against the strong flow, with a spokesman warning that they avoided what could have been a 'very serious situation later on into the night'.

Warning

The spokesman warned:

"All vessels should be urged to use navigational lights and always have a VHF radio whilst at sea, especially in what is an extremely busy stretch of water with huge ships coming in and out of the docks all times of day and night."