CWIND TEMPEST

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Wind farm vessel struck submerged object

Four wind farm workers were rescued after the "Tempest" hit a submerged object off Whitstable on March 30, 2017, and started taking on water. The Coastguard from Sheerness and Whitstable's lifeboat was launched following the incident just before 9.30 a.m. at the Kentish Flats wind farm. There were six persons onboard the catamaran. After the Whitstable lifeboat arrived at the scene, two crew members and a salvage pump were transferred onboard the vessel to assist the crew. At this time the "Tempest" was still impaled on the submerged object. At 10.55 a.m. the Sheerness Lifeboat arrived at the scene and also placed their salvage pump and two crew members onboard. At just after 11.00 a.m. the four wind farm technicians were transferred to a nearby wind farm craft that had also been standing by. By 11.50 a.m. the "Tempest" had floated clear of the underwater object and the crews were able to asses the damage and the vessel then made its own way to Whitstable Harbour escorted by both lifeboats and was eventually secured alongside the west quay. Both lifeboats were subsequently released from the incident to return to their respective stations. The weather during the incident was good visibility and slight seas in the force 3 wind. A full investigation of the incident was to take place by Vattenfall. Reports with photos: https://www.facebook.com/whitstablelifeboat/posts/1348475361876635 http://www.kentonline.co.uk/whitstable/news/lifeboat-rescues-workers-123221/ http://renews.biz/106526/lifeboat-recovers-kentish-ctv/