The grounding of the Northern Irish trawler "Adoration", B902, from Portavogie on the Calf of Man side of the Thousla beacon in the middle of the Sound.
The Adoration is a 70 foot long wooden trawler / scalloper; previously called the "Family Friend" , CT132 which until a few months ago was based in Port St Mary.
The owner, the vessels skipper and two children were on passage to Port St Mary from their home port apparently to pick up some fishing gear which had been purchased. At approx. 4.30 pm when passing thro the Sound they made a navigation error by going the wrong side of the Thousla into what is locally known as the Blind Sound. They grounded half ebb tide, so they weren't able to get off the rock as the tide receded. The bow was driven higher up the rock than the stern.
picture by Eve Kelly taken at 9.45pm with a 300mm camera lens
Port Erin Lifeboat was called out to take off the two children who were landed at Port Erin and then returned to take off the two crewmen, who had stayed on board to check whether there was any damage. In addition, Port Erin Coastguard unit was called out to assess whether there was any pollution risk. Fortunately there was no damage to the vessel and no fuel leaks. At 6.15 pm Port Erin Lifeboat was temporarily stood down as the trawler was high and dry.
At approx. 9 pm Port Erin Lifeboat was launched again and the Port St Mary Lifeboat and inshore Lifeboat (ILB) were also launched. The intention being for Port St Mary's Trent class lifeboat [ with 1600 horsepower engines ] to attempt to refloat the trawler as the tide flooded back in.
Port Erin Lifeboat placed two of its crewmen on board the vessel to check for leaks and pollution and then put the two fishermen on board the Port St Mary Lifeboat to await the incoming tide. Port Erin boat returned to their base to pick up a Coastguard unit with portable flood-lighting . The Coastguards were placed ashore on the Calf, at Cow Harbour. Meanwhile Port St Mary ILB stood close by the trawler to cover the two lifeboatmen on board.
The weather was cloudy and winds luckily a light westerly. However spring tides meant a current of five knots to contend with.
At about 10.30 pm a towline was passed from the PSM lifeboat to the trawler using the ILB and the line made fast to its stern. In addition, along with the two lifeboatmen already onboard, the trawlers' skipper was placed back on board to put on the boats decklights and to be ready to check bilges for flooding. The trawler was starting to move about but was still stuck at the bow. Tension was taken on the tow line to hold the stern until the vessel completety refloated - this took another 20 minutes. When the trawler did come free, the weight of the flood tide at first took the trawler further down tide. With a great strain placed on the towline great care was taken in increasing power by the PSM Lifeboat to tow the 70 ton boat backwards and out of further danger. Once the Lifeboat and trawler were half a mile off shore the tow was stopped and the trawlers engines were restarted without any problems. The other fisherman was placed back on board and under its own power it proceeded to Port St Mary at slow speed in the escort of PSM Lifeboat and ILB. All arrived safely in port shortly before midnight.
( copyright Brian Kelly, PSM RNLI )