Boat Nearly Sinks After Faulty Pump Sparks Flood Near Queenborough Harbour
Two holidaymakers faced a terrifying ordeal when their 40-foot motor cruiser started flooding near Queenborough Harbour, Sheppey, on Wednesday afternoon. A faulty pump caused water to pour in around 4pm, putting the vessel at risk of sinking.
Quick-Thinking Police and Coastguard Save the Day
The Search and Marine Unit was patrolling the River Medway aboard the police vessel Invicta when HM Coastguard alerted them to the emergency. Officers arrived promptly, checked the electronic pumping system, and pinpointed the fault.
They managed to slow the flooding and restart the broken pump. Soon after, Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) volunteers joined in, bringing a petrol salvage pump to remove the excess water.
Serious Warning to Boat Owners
“During our inspection of the vessel’s essential equipment, we found one defective electronic pump and no manual pump,” said Acting Sergeant Sam Milton of the Search and Marine Unit. “This should be a reminder to all boat owners to ensure their vessels are seaworthy before setting sail.”
Milton added, “Fortunately, working with HM Coastguard and the RNLI, we kept everyone safe and prevented the boat from sinking to the riverbed.”
Boat owners, take note: a working manual pump can be the difference between a calm day afloat and a watery disaster!
