Three lifeboats and an RAF helicopter have been involved in a search for a yacht in difficulties East of the Isle of May at the mouth of the Firth of Forth.
The yacht put out a distress call about 11am on 23 June as it was hit by winds up to 40 mph and two metre high waves.
Coastguards asked RNLI lifeboats from Dunbar, Anstruther and Eyemouth to go to its aid. The yacht was only managing to put out a weak radio signal and the lifeboats were at first unable to find it in the storm.
Eventually the stricken yacht was spotted by Dunbar’s All Weather Lifeboat the John Neville Taylor which managed to get alongside it on the fourth attempt and put a crewman on board to assist the yacht’s two cold, wet and exhausted sailors.
Dunbar’s RNLI Coxswain Gary Fairbairn said: “The boat’s sails had shredded and some of the shrouds holding up the mast had snapped.
“With our crewman on board we managed to tow the yacht to calmer waters in the lea of the Isle of May and get the two sailors off into the warmth of the lifeboat.”
At this point Anstruther lifeboat took over towing the stricken yacht and the Dunbar boat took the sailors to Pittenweem where they were met by coastguards and checked over by medical staff.
The 22 for yacht, Dancer, was on passage from Arbroath to Eyemouth when the storm struck. Its crew are from the Newcastle area.
Media Contacts:…David Johnston Dunbar RNLI LPO…
01620 880282
07884230914……………..
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