Wick RNLI volunteers assist dismasted yacht in lengthy offshore rescue

Wick RNLI's all-weather lifeboat Roy Barker II launched at 3.20pm following a request from HM Coastguard after a mayday call was received from the single-handed sailor.

The volunteer crew arrived on scene at 4.29pm to find the yacht rolling heavily in 20-knot winds and 2.5m seas. Already standing by were a product tanker, Sumburgh HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter and an RAF fixed-wing aircraft, which had responded to the mayday. The yacht's mast had broken in half and rigging was trailing in the water, making the vessel difficult to manage.

After assessing the situation, a volunteer crew member was transferred aboard the yacht to help secure the damaged mast and rigging. Once the vessel was made safe, the yacht was able to continue under its own power.

With the yacht's electronic navigation equipment damaged, the RNLI crew member remained on board while the lifeboat escorted the skipper safely back to Wick, providing navigational assistance throughout the six-hour return passage.

Wick RNLI volunteer Coxswain Ross Shields said: 'The yacht had suffered significant damage to its mast and the sea conditions made transferring a crew member particularly challenging. Once aboard, our priority was to make the vessel safe and ensure the sole occupant was doing ok, before escorting the skipper safely back to Wick.

'If you find yourself in difficulty at sea, or if you see anyone else in trouble, call 999 and ask for HM Coastguard. They will coordinate the appropriate emergency response.'

The yacht arrived safely at Wick Marina shortly before midnight. The volunteer crew then washed down and refuelled the lifeboat, making it ready for the next emergency.

Notes to editors

Photo caption: Wick RNLI's all-weather lifeboat Roy Barker II escorted a dismasted yacht safely to Wick after a lengthy offshore rescue. (Credit: Wick RNLI)

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Emily Smith, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Wick, [email protected]

Richard Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

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The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

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