Donna Nook Coastguard together with Mablethorpe Lifeboats and Mablethorpe Coastguard were called out by Humber Coastguard on June 30th around 3pm in response to a request for assistance from a vessel aground in the entrance to Saltfleet Haven.
The first attempt by Mablethorpe Lifeboat and Mablethorpe Inshore Lifeboat to free the vessel was unsuccessful, the tide was on the ebb and the vessel, a single masted yacht was already starting to settle into the sand bar which was preventing movement.
After checking that the crew onboard were happy to remain we decided to retreat and regroup for a further attempt on the next high water - around 3.40am.
Communications were established between to yacht and Humber Coastguard so that safety checks could be maintained over the coming hours. Later in the evening, Donna Nook Coastguard were able to drive out to the vessel with supplies and to discuss the plan for the next attempt at re-floating.
2am (now Friday 1st July) soon came around and Donna Nook Coastguard along with the two RNLI Lifeboats from Mablethorpe returned for the second attempt to re-float the yacht.
Although it was close, the vessel was re-floated at 0350am just as the water level started to fall again.
A member of the Mablethorpe Lifeboat crew remained on the vessel as it returned into the Haven. It was accompanied by Mablethorpe Inshore Lifeboat as far as possible, the ILB was forced to return to sea due to concerns it would not be able to get back out to sea if water levels dropped any lower.
With shore-side assistance from the waiting Coastguards the yacht was finally tied up around 4am.
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.
