Just after 11AM today, both St Helier RNLI lifeboats were called out to assist a boat with 3 adults and 4 children on board that had caught the propellor on a rope and was taking on water off the south coast. 

The inshore lifeboat was first on the scene and quickly ensured the safety of the people on the boat by transferring them to the ILB. The salvage pump from the ILB was placed on the casualty vessel but it was unable to keep up with the water ingress so the pump from the ALB was then transferred to stop the boat from sinking. The casualty vessel was escorted to a hoist in the harbour and the lifeboats returned to the station and were made ready for the next service. 

Everyone on board was wearing the correct safety equipment when the lifeboats arrived on scene and they had the correct means of communication to get help. Anything can happen on the water so boat owners should ensure they have properly maintained and prepared their boat and have the appropriate safety equipment before heading out. 

A pre-season checklist from the Ports of Jersey can be found here https://bit.ly/3dPdMQo