The sailing ship Lord Nelson and her crew have been praised for their daring deeds after answering a distress call and rescuing fellow Tall Ships Race competitor Lord Rank.
Distress call
Lord Nelson, one of the Jubilee Sailing Trust's magnificent tall ships was sailing to St Malo to take part in the start the 50th Tall Ships' Race starting this weekend when the crew received the distress call at 0300 on 5th July.
Propeller snared
The propeller of the Lord Rank, a 21 metre long ketch operated by Ocean Youth Trust Ireland, had become fouled in an old fishing net and with no wind the stricken vessel was drifting in thick fog 70 miles from port.
Under tow
In difficult conditions the permanent crew of the Lord Nelson along with the help of the voyage crew managed to attach a line to the Lord Rank and tow her to safety.
Team work
The captain of the Lord Nelson Dave Hood said, In the dark with poor visibility it was very tricky to get close enough to attach a line. By working as a team we were able to secure the other vessel before towing them in to port.
Helping each other
He added, The Tall Ships' Race is all about friendship and helping each other, which is why when we picked up the call we were happy to help out in anyway we could.
Underwater hero
Permanent crewmember and ship's Mate Chris Philips subsequently lent further assistance by diving underneath the vessel and freeing up the jammed propeller.
