Jim Roberts on Saving Lives at Sea

Let’s turn our attentions now to the Merchant vessel called the ‘Dole America’ which left Portsmouth Harbour with a Pilot on board.

The Pilot was disembarked into the Pilot Launch at Newgrounds and the Captain of the ‘Dole America’ told the foreign crew member he had on the Bridge to take the helm and head for the Nab Tower Lighthouse while he got a cup of tea as he was suffering from the ‘flu. Shortly after this the vessel actually hit the Nab Tower Lighthouse.

The Helmsman had not totally understood his instructions and had steered directly for the Lighthouse.

The Pilot who had been on board saved the day by re-boarding the vessel and grounding it in the vicinity of the Dean Tower Buoy in case if it took on too much water and sank.