MV Pool Fisher facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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|---|---|
 United Kingdom |
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| Name | Pool Fisher |
| Owner | James Fisher & Sons |
| Port of registry | Barrow-in-Furness |
| Launched | 1959 |
| Identification | IMO number: 5282029 |
| Fate | Sank, 6 November 1979 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | General cargo ship |
| Tonnage | 1028.19 GT |
| Length | 208 ft (63 m) |
| Beam | 33 ft 5 in (10.19 m) |
| Propulsion |
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| Speed | 11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph) |
| Crew | 15 |
The M/V Pool Fisher was a British merchant vessel, which is a ship that carries goods. It sadly sank near the Isle of Wight on November 6, 1979. Most of its crew members were lost in this tragic accident.
Contents
The Story of the Pool Fisher
The Pool Fisher was a cargo ship built in Holland. It was launched in 1959, meaning it was put into the water for the first time that year. For many years, it sailed the seas carrying different types of cargo.
The Final Voyage Begins
On November 3, 1979, the Pool Fisher arrived in Hamburg, Germany. It had traveled from Norway without any cargo, which is called being "in ballast." The ship had a crew of 15 people. There was also one passenger on board, who was the wife of the Chief Engineer.
Later that same day, around 1:00 PM, the Pool Fisher left Hamburg. It was carrying 1,250 tonnes of a chemical called muriate of potash. This chemical is often used in fertilizers. The ship was heading for Runcorn in the United Kingdom.
A Ship in Trouble
On November 5, at 10:50 PM, another ship called the Esso Penzance saw the Pool Fisher. It was about eleven miles south of Brighton. The Pool Fisher seemed to be moving strangely. It looked like the front of the ship was riding lower in the water than usual. The sea was very rough at this time.
Early the next morning, on November 6, at 5:47 AM, the coast radio station at Niton Radio received a distress call. It was a "Mayday" call from the Pool Fisher. This is a serious emergency signal.
The Rescue Effort
Within minutes of the Mayday call, Niton Radio told the coastguard. The coastguard immediately sent out an alert. Lifeboats from Yarmouth and Bembridge were launched. SAR helicopters were also sent from different Royal Navy air stations.
The search and rescue operation was huge. It took place in very bad weather. Three Royal Navy warships, including HMS Cardiff, helped. Six merchant ships and two lifeboats also joined the search. Four helicopters assisted from the air.
Survivors and Aftermath
Only two people survived from the Pool Fisher. They were deckhands Donald Crane and Mark Fook. Both men were asleep when the bosun woke them up and told them to go on deck. By the time they got there, the ship was leaning heavily to one side. Huge waves washed them off the deck.
They held onto wooden boards from the ship's cargo hatches for over five hours. Finally, helicopters from the Fleet Air Arm rescued them. Both survivors were suffering from severe hypothermia, which is when your body gets dangerously cold. They were taken to Haslar Naval Hospital for treatment.
The sunken ship, Pool Fisher, was later found. It was located about 6.6 miles (10.6 km) off St Catherine's Point.
Why Did It Sink?
A special court of inquiry investigated why the Pool Fisher sank. They found that the main reason was a problem with the No.1 hatch. This hatch is like a large lid that covers a cargo area. It was supposed to have eight wires to lock it securely, but only three were fitted. Also, some of the clips that held it down were broken.
Because of these problems, a lot of water quickly got into the ship's hold. This made the front of the ship sink lower. Then, the ship began to lean heavily to one side before it finally capsized and sank. The court decided that the ship's Master, John Maclaren Stewart, and the Mate, Francis William Cooper, were responsible for the hatch not being properly secured. Neither of them survived the sinking.
