Looking for a place of refuge

The recent episode off Lands End, UK, in which a disabled coaster was taken in tow by two RNLI lifeboats in the absence of a dedicated salvage tug points up the continuing demands to reinstate the four Emergency Towing Vessels (ETVs) that were once based at strategic locations around the UK coast.

'Lady Alida' and the Penlee lifeboat seen from the Sennen Cove lifeboat (Photo: Penlee lifeboat)

The recent episode off Lands End, UK, in which a disabled coaster was taken in tow by two RNLI lifeboats in the absence of a dedicated salvage tug points up the continuing demands to reinstate the four Emergency Towing Vessels (ETVs) that were once based at strategic locations around the UK coast.