Sealand after the Fire - Part 3
Part 3 of our rolling series on the Sealand Fire
Pictures taken of the re boarding of the old Roughs Fort Sealand on Sunday 25th June 2006
The Standard's report of Friday 30th June 2006
James left & Liam right with father Michael Bates aboard their RiB
Leaving the Essex Coast at speed bound for the Fort
First sighting of the extensive damage
Much of the superstructure blackened with the window glass gone
View of the RiB & Fort from the second vessel involved in re boarding
The RiB off Sealand
With James Bates preparing for the climb of his life
North leg looking North West with the burnt out framework of the Generator Hut
The North leg looking South East it was this side that the Generator exploded
About to go beneath the Fort for visual inspection of underside of platform base
The North leg from the underside
Looking back at the blackened Fort
A ladder is secured as best possible to the Fort & James prepares for the transfer
The Fishing Boat pulls off & the RiB stands by as James begins the climb
A slow steady climb with nothing beneath but the cold North Sea
Well wishers offer to stand by & help
Transferring his weight to a steel Fort RSJ the ladder tilts at an alarming angle
It's a very long drop
The tricky bit
A final pull
The white knuckle climb's over James Bates made it aboard & starts the winch engine