That was Tony Purcell’s recollection of how the situation changed from arriving safely into Liverpool on his yacht Triple D to suddenly tumbling into the River Mersey.
“I was putting a rope over a buoy to moor up while waiting for the marina to open. It’s something I’ve done many, many times. I do not know what happened, I’ve not fallen in before. I must have overreached, it’s still a mystery to me.”
Once in the water, however, retired engineer Tony (66) quickly realised he could not climb back on board: he was sailing solo, the current was flowing, the stern ladder was out of reach, and his VHF radio was inaccessible beneath his auto-inflated lifejacket.
“I was in a bit of a pickle,” he said. “Shock takes over because you do not often find yourself in that situation and it would be difficult to get back on board. I am glad I was not in the North Sea.
It was a dangerous situation but one Tony was well prepared to survive with a registered Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) attached to his lifejacket.
He said: “When you’re in the water you know it’s a serious situation, especially when there’s no one else around – hence setting off the PLB. I am very pleased I had it.”
Once activated, it immediately alerted HM Coastguard with his position and, because he had registered it, also sent details including his identity, vessel and emergency contact numbers.
HM Coastguard was quickly able to request a Mersey Fire Service rescue boat which recovered Tony back on board the Triple D so he could get into dry clothes, make a hot drink and warm up.
Safely on his yacht, he was escorted by the RNLI’s inshore lifeboat from New Brighton into the marina where Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team helped him moor up.
Tony said of the emergency services: “They were brilliant. They were spot on. The fire service got me back on board but they also kept an eye on me before the lock gates opened. The RNLI kept asking questions to make sure I was compos mentis.
“The coastguards took the trouble to come into the marina and take my lines as I came in. I was still in a state of shock.
“They also had a first responder that gave me the once over and checked my pulse and oxygen levels to make sure I was okay and wasn’t in need of a hospital visit.”
He added: “I have not fallen in for 50 years and I do not intend to fall in again for another 50!”
Tony’s tips:
- Invest in a PLB and emergency position-indicating radiobeacon (EPIRB) for your vessel and register them with the MCA
- Keep equipment in pockets that are accessible even when your lifejacket expands
- Have a penknife to cut away tangled rope or material
PLBs broadcast a location on the same 406MHz frequency as bigger EPIRBs but are designed to be worn on the body, rather than on a vessel or liferaft.
Michael Buratti, Coastal Operations Area Commander for HM Coastguard, said: “Tony was unlucky to end up in the water and it could have turned into tragedy. But this incident ended well because he did everything right.
“He had a Personal Locator Beacon and a lifejacket and they were the key things that kept him safe until rescue assets were able to get to him.
"It is a perfect example of how important a lifejacket and PLB can be – the sea and rivers can be dangerous places if you aren't prepared."
For more safety tips, visit hmcoastguard.uk/onboard
