Search for missing crewman called off after tugboat sinks in the Thames and two are rescued



A search for a crew member missing after a tug capsized and sank on the Thames in London was called off this evening as marine accident experts began an investigation into the accident.

Two other crew members were rescued after the tug, called Chieftain, went down off Convoys Wharf in Deptford - close to Greenwich Pier - just before 11am.

The tug had been towing a crane barge named Skyline when it sank.

A major search-and-rescue operation was launched for the missing crewman, with efforts being co-ordinated by the Woolwich-based London coastguard.

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A crane and life raft where the Chieftain tug sank this morning on the Thames - the wire connecting the two tugs can be seen leading into the river

Major search: The boat sank within minutes off Convoys Wharf in Deptford, near Greenwich Pier

But about four hours after the sinking, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said the search, involving police, the Port of London Authority, the fire brigade and lifeboat crews, had been called off.

The section of the river around Greenwich Pier had been closed while the search had gone on.

The MCA said: 'The Port of London Authority (PLA) is beginning the first stages of an operation to raise the sunken tug.



'The Marine Accident Investigation Branch have begun an investigation into the causes of the accident.'

The search for missing crew member included police, the Port of London Authority, the fire brigade and lifeboat crews

At the scene of the accident, a second tug boat, which river workers said was also attached to the barge, was still afloat and activity could be seen on deck.

One onlooker said they went to the riverside shortly after the incident at 11am but by then the Chieftain was underwater.

A passer-by who witnessed the sinking said: 'The front tug seemed to hit a buoy and capsized. It was submerged within a matter of minutes.



'I saw two men being pulled out of the water on the other side of the river.

'All the boats in the area scrambled and were searching for the third man.

'As the minutes dragged on, I started to fear the worst. It was terrible watching and not being able to help.'

Chris Lewis, who witnessed the incident from his flat, told the BBC the boat sank rapidly.

'I saw two crew members scramble off the capsized vessel and they were holding on to the ropes which were holding the tug and platform together,' he said.

The port authority closed the Thames around Greenwich while the search for the missing crew member was going on

'I could not see if both of them were pulled out but one of them was hauled on to the platform.

'The tug sunk very quickly, within about 30 seconds. I saw the stern of the tug going under.'

Daniel Jaffa had been due to go sailing but his trip was cancelled due to the rescue operation.

He told the BBC: 'The rescue teams are using tourist boats on that stretch of the river to search for the missing person. A RNLI lifeboat came over to us and told us the Thames has been closed between Greenwich and Tower Bridge, I believe.

'This is unheard of - I have not seen anything like this in my time sailing.'

The Thames Clipper was suspended between Masthouse Terrace and North Greenwich during the rescue operation.

River safety measures: After the Marchioness disaster in 1989, the London coastguard was set up at the Thames Barrier Navigation Centre at Woolwich

Thames safety measures were tightened in the aftermath of the 1989 Marchioness riverboat disaster in which 51 people died when their boat was in a collision with a dredger on the Thames near Southwark, south London.

The improved measures included the setting up of the London coastguard which is at the Thames Barrier Navigation Centre at Woolwich.

Today's sinking follows the death on the Thames last week of Ben Woollacott, 19, a crewman on the Woolwich Ferry.

He fell from the ferry and under its propeller while mooring ropes were being untied.

Paramedics treated the crewman when he was pulled from the Thames, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

He was the son of Stephen Woollacott, owner of a Thames riverboat company.

Transport for London said today the Woolwich Ferry will be suspended on Monday as staff will be paying their respects at Mr Woollacott's funeral.

Thames River Services and Crown River Cruises are also suspending services on Monday.