Lymington RNLI assists damaged vessel after striking rocks

The vessel was believed to have sustained damage and had left the area before the lifeboat arrived.

The lifeboat made its way to Milford-on-Sea and began a search westwards. With assistance from Southbourne Coastguard Rescue Team, the vessel was located near the entrance to Mudeford Harbour, travelling at approximately 8–10 knots. The lifeboat requested that the vessel stop so the situation could be assessed.

Two lifeboat crew members went aboard and established that one engine had been damaged and was no longer working, while the second engine was operating at reduced power.

The lifeboat then escorted the vessel back towards Lymington. With only one engine operating at reduced power, the passage took approximately an hour and a half.

During the journey, the crew discovered that the vessel was taking on water. The bilge pump was keeping pace with the ingress, but the source of the water could not be identified.

On arrival in Lymington, the vessel and its owner were handed over to Lymington Coastguard Rescue Team. As it was not possible to lift the vessel out of the water that night, it was secured alongside the slipway at Lymington Lifeboat Station as a precaution.

The lifeboat crew then returned to station, where the lifeboat was made ready for service once again.

The RNLI is an independent charity that saves lives at sea.

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Suzanne Brown, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI South East, [email protected]

Stella Sims, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for London and South East England, 07483 316675, [email protected]

Sam Haddad, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for London and South East England, 01202 137713, [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]

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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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