Man risks life for swim in front of 4,000 tonne cargo ship
RNLI Blyth's has issued a warning to the public after a man narrowly escaped with his life following a near miss with a cargo ship in the River Blyth in Northumberland.
Images and video captured on the inshore lifeboats on-board camera's show the moments shortly after the man, believed to be under the influence of alcohol, escaped narrowly avoiding the 4,000 tonne cargo ship the 'Karla C' which was under way in the River Blyth.
The alarm was raised shortly after 3pm by a person on the shore as well as a port employee who was involved in the berthing of the 'Karla C' – both of who had seen a person swimming in the water near the cargo ship as she was being escorted by a local pilot vessel to Battleship Wharf in the Port of Blyth.
The Karla C, which had had travelled over 2,800 miles from the port of Vilanova in Spain, was at the time travelling at slow speed and less than one mile from completing her voyage when the incident occurred. Even so, there would have been very little the crew could do to avoid the male within the confined space of the river.
Blyth's inshore lifeboat, with three volunteer crew on-board, was requested to attend the scene approximately quarter of a mile from the lifeboat station as concern grew over the safety of the person in the water and what might happen if they were left swimming in a working harbour.
Upon arrival the man refused assistance from the lifeboat crew and stated: "I'm coming for a swim in here because its cheaper than the local pool."
After a few minutes the male took this advice and made his own way to a set of ladders and climbed out.
Shortly afterwards, the man was spoken to by police and the local coastguard team, and the lifeboat then left the scene and returned to station.
Blyth RNLI Deputy Launching Authority (DLA) Paul Raine said: "Is it really worth risking your life going swimming in the cold water of a working harbour to save paying a few pounds to visit the local heated swimming pool?"
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