Fishermen are saved by Navy vessel after firing flares

08/12/2020

Two fishermen have been saved from the sea in Dorset, UK, after firing flares seen by a Navy frigate.

Jordan Coulter and David Miller were thrown out when their fishing boat capsized in rough seas off Portland Bill one day in October. They clung to the boat until they freed the life raft and then drifted for around eight miles.

After firing their last flare, the fishermen were spotted by HMS Westminster personnel who had responded to the Mayday call and arrived just before Weymouth lifeboat.

Jordan Coulter told the Dorset Echo, “We had seen the warship and we were trying to get its attention. We shot flares into the air and used smoke flares but they were getting blown into the wind so they could not see them. We fired our last flare and it thankfully got their attention.”

David Miller sustained a head injury after the 6.8metre Ocean Echo capsized and he was later treated at Dorchester Hospital.

HMS Westminster covered five miles in 15 minutes in rough seas to reach the vessel after hearing the Mayday.

David was subsequently transferred to Dorset County Hospital by a Coastguard helicopter while Jordan was medically assessed and taken ashore.

Jordan said David was his hero for saving his life, as he looked after him and kept him calm.

The capsized boat was later towed into Portland Harbour by another local boat.