Sennen Cove RNLI Volunteers aid disabled yacht in challenging conditions

The single occupant of the yacht made a 999 call to HM Coastguard stating that he had lost control of his mainsail and had fouled their propeller. The occupant was also suffering from seasickness and was disorientated.

The Tamar class all-weather lifeboat City of London III launched under the command of Coxswain Nick Hichens with a total of 6 crew.

The RNLI volunteers arrived on scene to find the yacht drifting towards the Lands End traffic separation scheme. With no working VHF radio, communications with the casualty vessel were difficult and had to be relayed though HM Coastguard by mobile phone.

The coxswain made the assessment that as the yacht was drifting towards the Lands End traffic separation scheme it would be a danger to navigation and to the single occupant. Therefore, a tow to the nearest safe port was decided to be the best option to help the casualty.

The occupant informed the coastguard that he was unable to come on deck to assist connecting a tow. With the poor sea conditions and some ropes trailing in the water it was thought unsafe for the RNLI volunteers to approach the yacht in case they got snagged up and became a casualty themselves.

HM Coastguard therefore requested helicopter support to check the casualty’s welfare and transfer a crew member to attach a tow.

On arrival on scene, HM Coastguard rescue helicopter made an assessment to place a crew member onboard the casualty vessel but were unable to do so due to the poor conditions and with the mainsail jammed up.

Following this, HM Coastguard asked the Passenger Ferry Norbay on passage through the Lands End traffic separation scheme to proceed to the area to provide shelter for the lifeboat and yacht while a crew transfer was attempted.

Whilst the ferry was proceeding the RNLI volunteers attempted to go alongside the yacht and place a crew member aboard.

After almost two and a half hours being on scene and in challenging conditions, the lifeboat finally managed to get RNLI volunteer George Williams aboard to check the casualty and establish a tow with the yacht.

The Norbay and HM Coastguard rescue helicopter were stood down and the RNLI volunteers commenced their tow to the nearest safe port of Newlyn.

Steady progress was made and the lifeboat and casualty vessel arrived at Newlyn around 6.20am.

Once the yacht was safely secured in Newlyn harbour and the single occupant was safe and well the RNLI volunteers made the passage back to station.

The lifeboat arrived back at Sennen around 7.40am on 13 May, was recovered up the long slip and was made ready for service.

Ends

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For further information, please contact:

Timothy Stevens, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI South West, [email protected]

Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for South West England, 07786 668847, [email protected]

Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for South West England, 07920 818807, [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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