Lyme Regis RNLI launch to assist motorboat with mechanical problem off West Bay

The call from HM Coastguard came at 2:40pm requesting the lifeboat crew to assist a stricken motorboat which had suffered failure of its main engine and had been struggling for some time to reach harbour using a small auxiliary engine. Weather conditions at the time were a strong northerly wind of 20kts and waves up to 2.5m in height.

Lyme Regis volunteers assembled at the lifeboat station to await further information on the casualty vessel’s position before launching their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Spirit of Loch Fyne at 2:58pm. They found the casualty vessel 5nm due south of West Bay making no headway against the strong northerly wind. The three people on board were fit, well and in no need of medical assistance.

Volunteer lifeboat Helm Jon Broome said: ‘In view of the adverse conditions there was no way the casualty vessel was going to make it back to harbour with its small auxiliary engine and was being carried out to sea. In the absence of a more suitable vessel, and given the risks to the people on board, we decided that towing the boat to safety was the best course of action.’

The lifeboat crew set up a tow and recovered the casualty vessel to West Bay harbour where it was met by harbour staff. The lifeboat crew then returned to Lyme Regis, arriving at 4:50pm.

This was the 40th service call for the volunteers of Lyme Regis RNLI in 2026, the year in which the lifesaving charity celebrates 200 years of association with the town.

Ends

Notes to editors

Photo 1 Caption: RNLI Lyme Regis Atlantic 85 inshore Lifeboat Spirit of Loch Fyne at sea. Credit: RNLI/Nick Marks