Early morning shout for Yarmouth RNLI.

At the request of HM Coastguard, Yarmouth RNLI launched around fifteen minutes after the initial tasking and made best speed to the last known location of a sailing yacht with two people on board who had lost all power and were unable to make passage due to a main rigging malfunction.

Yarmouth RNLI arrived on scene, five miles west of the Needles Lighthouse at 4:20am and transferred a member of the crew across to assess the situation, and offer casualty care if required.

Due to the increasing strong winds, drift rate, and the lack of power to the casualty vessel which resulted in no navigation lights, the decision was made to tow the yacht back towards the safety of Yarmouth Harbour where the crew on board could rest, and organise mechanical assistance during the day.

Yarmouth's All-weather Lifeboat began the passage back to Yarmouth and brought the yacht alongside in the harbour just after 6am.

After post recover checks, and assisting the casualty crew, Yarmouth RNLI was marked as ready for service at around 6:30am.

(Shortly after returning to Yarmouth, two of our volunteers, after being part of the crew for this shout, seized the opportunity and completed their 10th mile in their MayDay Mile fundraiser - well done Adey and Kris!)

Notes to editors

• Images include the morning sunrise as Yarmouth Lifeboat makes passage back to Yarmouth Harbour

• Yarmouth RNLI Lifeboat 17-25 Eric and Susan Hiscock (Wanderer) came into service in 2001, prior to that Yarmouth RNLI had an Arun Class Lifeboat 52-08 Joy and John Wade which was in service for 23 years.

• May 2026 marks Yarmouth Station's 102nd year in service.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Hebe Gregory-Pimm, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI South East, [email protected]

Jess Curtis, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for London and South East England, 07483 488243, [email protected]

Julie Rainey, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for London and South East England, 07827 358256, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.