RNLI Bristol Channel rescue in strong winds
The Lifeboat volunteers were paged on Saturday (20th) at 11.34am as multiple calls from the public came in reporting a yacht sailing with difficulty in Redcliffe Bay, Portishead.
With the weather conditions due to deteriorate rapidly during the afternoon and into the evening My Lady Anne was launched to investigate.
As the crew arrived on scene the skipper of the yacht said that they did not need assistance. With three people on board and none of them wearing lifejackets, the crew asked if they had any, to which they were told they only had one between them. The small yacht was under sail in a worsening sea conditions, strong winds, an outgoing tide and on a couple of occasions it was turned sideways by the waves. Helm Ian Lazenby decided to stay with yacht until it had reached safety.
On passing Battery Point, an area in the Severn Estuary where the waves can become large and steep in bad weather, the yacht got in to difficulty with a rope wrapped around the steering gear. It was at that point Ian made the decision to move in again and offered to tow the yacht.
He said: 'The yacht was in danger of not getting to safety and we were very concerned for the crew. The skipper made the right decision to accept our help. The waters around here can be treacherous and to be in a boat of that size in the expected Force 9 due later on Saturday we had to get them out of harm’s way.'
Whilst under tow the lifeboat and the casualty vessel were now being buffeted by strong winds and large waves. Portishead Coastguards and RNLI shorecrew watched from shore as the vessel was bought around by Portishead Pier. After a four hour rescue shorecrew were there to help prepare My Lady Anne again for the next call out. She was ready for service again at 3.45pm when Ian was able to rejoin his friends at their golden wedding anniversary party, crew members Andy and Jake could carry on with their weekends and Nick was able to go on his annual holiday.
When going out to sea please always wear a lifejacket, check them regularly, carry a means of contacting the shore and check the weather before you go. #RespectTheWater #ColdWaterShock
RNLI notes to editors
Images ©RNLI Portishead
1. Crashing through the waves
2. Moving in to help
3. Throwing the line
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