Lowestoft RNLI Lifeboat crew rescue lone sailor from yacht on rocks
The volunteer crew of Lowestoft RNLI lifeboat were called from their beds at 4.41am (Monday, 2 March 2026) to go to the aid of a yachtsman who was in trouble off Ness Point just a short distance from Lowestoft harbour entrance.
Lifeboat Coxswain John Fox said, ‘we quickly launched our relief all-weather Shannon class lifeboat Storm Rider and soon reached the yacht which was on the rocks on the seaward side and adjacent to Hamilton Dock.”
“The vessel, with waves breaking over it, was firmly aground with its keel wedged in the rocks, so I manoeuvred the lifeboat bow towards the stranded yacht and the crew managed to pull the sailor onto our boat and to safety.”
“Within minutes we brought him back to the lifeboat station where he was met by Police and the Coastguard Rescue Team. Although soaking wet he was grateful to be safe and somewhere warm and dry while he waited for a relative to collect him.”
Mr Fox said,” the sailor told us that he had set off in his 10m yacht from the River Orwell near Felixstowe two days ago heading for North Norfolk but had got lost and had suffered seasickness.”
“He had used his mobile phone to contact the Police who were able to locate his position from the 999 call and sent an officer to check on him and on finding the yacht on the rocks alerted the coastguard.”
“He told us that although he had his engine running, he had insufficient power to make headway and with a gusty southerly breeze blowing the yacht had been swept onto the rocks.”
A lifeboat spokesman said” the sailor was very unlucky as if the yacht had come ashore a short distance further south, he would have been on the beach. The rescue proves the value of regular training for the crew who are ready 24/7 to respond to calls for help to save lives at sea.”
RNLI Media Contacts
Mick Howes Lowestoft RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer 01502 562488 / 07814 468917 [email protected]
For enquiries contact RNLI Press Office 01202 336789
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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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