A Dundee woman says she’s “lucky to be alive” after being swept away by the tide when her boat capsized in the Tay.
Experienced sailors Jess Probst and her father Andy had left Royal Tay Yacht Club in Broughty Ferry on Friday.
Their afternoon of sailing soon turned into a full-scale emergency, however, after their catamaran got into difficulty shortly after 5pm.
Despite frantic efforts to right the catamaran after it had overturned, Jess was soon pulled away from the vessel by the strong tide and unable to swim back.
As she drifted further away, Andy had to make the agonising decision to leave his daughter and direct the damaged boat back to the nearest harbour at Newport.
Despite suffering from shock, he managed to direct the stricken vessel into the harbour and raise the alarm.
Both the Coastguard and the Broughty Ferry life boat crew were immediately scrambled but were facing a vast expanse of the the Tay in which to search.
In a terrifying ordeal that lasted for more than 90 minutes, the 40-year-old from Camperdown said she had to muster all her experience to conserve energy and remain calm in order to survive.
Swept away by the strong tidal currents
“It was the second time the boat had capsized and we were struggling to get it turned,” Jess told The Courier.
“I was very quickly taken some distance away from the boat and my father on a strong current.
“Despite trying I just couldn’t swim back and I was being pulled further away due to the strong tide.
“It meant my dad had to make the agonising decision to try and steer the boat back to the nearest harbour, which was Newport.
“I do a lot of extreme sports so I’m quite fit but realised very quickly the seriousness of the situation.
“It was imperative that I did all I could to conserve my energy and avoid cramping.
“Most importantly, I knew I had to keep calm but that was not helped as the first sight of the lifeboat I got was of it going away from me as they continued their search.
“One of the biggest challenges was trying not to swallow water so I took breaths between the swell of the waves.
Adrift for 90 minutes
“However, I must admit it did cross my mind, as time went on, whether I would ever get found.
“I’d been in the water a long time then, out of the blue and without any warning, I saw the lifeboat heading straight towards me.
“Initially it was a bit of a shock as I feared they hadn’t actually seen me and may actually collide.
“Then, moments later, there was the sheer relief as they came along side and pulled me to safety.”
‘Amazing’ lifeboat crew
Jess had been spotted by a crew member in the middle of the Tay between the Tay Bridge and the lighthouse on the Fife side.
Jess said she was stuck by the calmness of the crew as she was plucked from the Tay after being adrift for so long.
“The lifeboat crew were amazing, particularly how organised and calm they were.
“And the teamwork was so smooth, not a hint of any drama, at all.
“I’m in awe of everyone of them.
“They saved my life for sure and I can’t begin to thank them enough.”
I think my dad suffered much more than me having to make that decision to leave me and go and raise the alarm.”
Jess Probst
Once back on dry land, Jess was taken to Ninewells Hospital for a check up but released a short time later to be reunited with her dad.
“My temperature had dropped so I needed the hospital check up but I’d not swallowed any water and was generally OK,” said Jess.
“I think my dad suffered much more than me, having to make that decision to leave me and go and raise the alarm.
“He was in a lot of shock but thankfully we are both OK.
“We owe it to the RNLI volunteers and I’m now a lifelong fan.
“They are taken for granted until you need them, that’s why I’ll support them from now on.”
Safe after her ordeal, Jess is now calling on the public to dig deep to help support the lifesaving charity.
Those who want to make a donation to Broughty Ferry RNLI’s appeal to raise £1,000 can do so here.
