The crew of a narrow boat was rescued after strong tides swept them into a houseboat in Hammersmith.

Narrow boat Alesha was caught by the tide and got stuck across the bow of houseboat Amethyst moored alongside a pier in Hammersmith yesterday (August 13).

Chiswick RNLI launched at 2:42pm and rescued the crew of four aboard Alesha but luckily none of them needed medical assistance.

The incident is just the latest in a string of similar cases in the last year where vessels have been caught out by the strong tides sweeping around the bend of the river just before Hammersmith Bridge.

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Peter Knight, helmsman of Chiswick RNLI lifeboat, said: “We put a lifeboat crew member aboard the stricken vessel to set up a tow line then we towed it clear of the moored boat. The narrow boat was then secured at Dove Pier with assistance from a vessel from the Port of London Authority, Driftwood II.

“It appeared that the crew on the narrow boat were caught out by the strong incoming spring tide sweeping round the outside of the bend and gusting winds which caused the high sided vessel to broach sideways into the moored houseboats. Although the casualty vessel is 70ft long our E-class lifeboat, Dougie and Donna B has more than adequate power to tow it away against a current over four knots.

“Fortunately the people were uninjured and no other craft or river users were at risk.”