Ramsgate RNLI all weather lifeboat launched to a yacht that had issued a Mayday

The yacht had issued a Mayday due to issues with dropping the sails and engine failure. The yacht was being blown towards the London Array Wind farm, about sixteen nautical miles north of Ramsgate. Although it was night, the visibility was good with a light wind and the sea state was calm.

A wind farm survey boat was in the area and responded to the Mayday. They were able to pass a rope to the crew and pulled the yacht clear of the wind farm area. The Diamond Jubilee arrived on scene at 3:50am under the command of female Coxswain Afloat Mechanic (CAM) Jenny Hampson. A CAM is a specialised role which often involves covering various lifeboat stations and as part of the training they are sent to different lifeboat stations to gain experience.

Jenny, who lives in Tobermory, Scotland said, ‘ This was my first shout in charge of a lifeboat in my role as CAM, and it was a great opportunity to put my training to use in a real life situation. It was also good to work alongside such an experienced crew who I had the pleasure to meet whilst bringing the Diamond Jubilee back from its refit in Poole on Wednesday. Sadly, I will be leaving Ramsgate on Saturday morning to take the relief Lifeboat RNLB 16-13 Victor Freeman to its next station. ‘

On arrival at the scene, a member of the volunteer crew was placed onto the yacht by bringing the lifeboat carefully alongside the casualty before the crew member stepped down into the yacht. The crew member is also an experienced sailor and was able to drop the sails making the yacht easier to handle. After assessing the situation due to the yacht having no means of power, as well as it's sails being stuck and drifting dangerously into an exclusion zone the decision was made to under take the tow. The lifeboat then took over the tow and bought the yacht back into the safety of Ramsgate Harbour arriving at 6:20am.

Media contact Ramsgate Volunteer Press Officer Karen Cox [email protected] or Jess Curtis Regional Communications manager [email protected] or RNLI Press Office [email protected]