Heroes save 36 from ferry
Published: February 13, 2005
Terrified ferry passengers were saved by two brave crewmen yesterday after the boat was battered by a storm.
The ferry — with 36 people on board — drifted out of control after being wrenched from the cables that pull it across a river.
As it careered towards the open seas in 50mph gales, the crew managed to throw out a rope and lash the boat to a mooring buoy.
The passengers were rescued by a lifeboat and another ferry in sleet and driving rain.
One man was treated for hyperventilation.
The car ferry is attached to two thick steel chains that propel it across the River Dart between Dartmouth and Kingswear in Devon.
A spokesman for Torbay lifeboat said: “Once the chain breaks the ferry just goes on — it’s not under any control.”
After the passengers were saved, rescue services tried to transfer the 15 cars on board to another ferry.
But they were beaten back by the strong winds.
Stranded passengers were put up in a local hotel by the ferry’s
operator Dart Marina.
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