Torbay and Dart RNLI lifeboats work together
Torbay's all weather RNLI lifeboat was called upon to assist Dart's inshore lifeboat crew (10 December) to tow in a motor yacht which had suffered engine failure
The volunteer crew of Torbay's Severn class RNLI lifeboat Alec & Christina Dykes launched on Saturday 10 December to assist Dart's D-class inshore lifeboat crew to tow a forty foot motor yacht.
The motor yacht, Malachite, with one person board had lost power at the entrance to the River Dart and called the Coastguard for assistance. The Dart RNLI volunteers had launched the inshore lifeboat and on arrival discovered that the vessel was too big for them to tow. Putting one crew person on board to assist, they requested back up from Torbay's all weather lifeboat crew. The Torbay lifeboat crew established a tow. The yacht has anchored with 140 metres of chain and had no power to lift it. The yacht was towed into Dartmouth harbour, and with two additional RNLI volunteers on board, the anchor was lifted and the yacht was towed to her deep water mooring.
Key facts about the RNLI
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, 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.