Yarmouth RNLI lifeboat snatches yacht from near disaster

The tides of the Solent and the Channel meet in this area and it is renowned for its dangerous seas.  The wind was gusting near gale force making the task of establishing a tow very difficult for both the lifeboat and the yacht in such violent conditions. 

The yacht was so close to the shingle bank that it was able to try to anchor before the lifeboat arrived.  Although the anchor was holding, the yacht was rotating round its anchor in the violent seas making the lifeboat's approach dangerous. 

The yacht's crew were asked to cut the anchor which made her more approachable and the lifeboat was able to secure a temporary tow from her bow to pull the yacht clear of the shallows. Once in calmer waters the lifebiat crew were able to establish a safer tow back to Yarmouth where they arrived at 5.50pm.

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The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.

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