Southwold RNLI launch to fishing boat with engine failure

The vessel was located in Dunwich Bay, around 2.5 miles south of Southwold harbour, once on scene the crew assessed the situation and due to the potential hazard to shipping and its close proximity to the Sizewell C harbour the decision was made to tow the fishing boat to the closest safe port, Southwold.

A crew member from the lifeboat was put aboard the fishing boat to set up the tow and once established both boats began to head north towards Southwold.

The tow took around 30 minutes to complete and after entering the harbour with a flood tide running the vessel was turned into the tide to enable safe manoeuvring alongside the mooring.

Two shore crew met the lifeboat to assist with safe mooring of the fishing boat and the lifeboat returned to station was washed and refuelled and ready for service again by 10:30pm.

Southwold Lifeboat Helm, Harry Cooper said: 'We arrived on scene to find a fishing boat with engine failure and a single person on board. Following completion of our assessment, we decided to take the vessel under tow and return her to Southwold Harbour.
Launch Authority Graham Hutton added: 'We were called by HMCG just before nine to assist a fishing boat off Dunwich. The crew responded admirably being under way 10 mins after the page, resolving the incident professionally, eventually towing the vessel back into harbour.'

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Jeremy Taylor, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI North and East, [email protected]

Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for North East and East England, 07824 518641, [email protected]

Richard Grange, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for North East and East England, 07483 112015, [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.