RNLI called as The Boat restaurant sinks into the Thames

SEVERAL vessels and the floating restaurant ‘The Boat’ have sunk into the Thames at Richmond Bridge according to a report from ‘This is Our Town’ website.

Lifeboat crews from Teddington attended the scene at 1am on Friday morning after reports that boats and a floating restaurant were sinking. Dramatic scenes of the vessels being dragged under have been captured by the RNLI.

The RNLI’s Andy Butterfield told This is Our Town Richmond, “I wasn’t on the lifeboat but understand the pontoon failed to rise with the tide. At least one other boat went down as well.”

It is believed that no one was hurt during the incident, and that the lifeboat crew was stood down just before 3am.

The Boat restaurant was reported to be one of just 11 such vessels that can trace their heritage back to the 15th century.

Photo courtesy of the Teddington Lifeboat Station