Dungeness RNLI lifeboat tasked to foreign yacht with mechanical failure
On Wednesday 14 September at 8pm the lifeboat was tasked to a 15m yacht with two adults and a child on board, becalmed and experiencing engine failure four miles northeast of the station on passage from Holland to Brighton.
Once on scene, deputy second coxswain Mark Richardson in command of the RNLI Shannon class lifeboat 13-02 ‘The Morrell’ established there were communication difficulties so put two of his volunteer crew members aboard the casualty to assess the situation as to the well-being of the occupants and to stabilise the situation of the stricken yacht.
After assessments were completed, Deputy Coxswain Richardson decided a quick response was needed, due to the welfare of a child being aboard the casualty so a tow to a safe haven at Dover Harbour was undertaken by the RNLI lifeboat and her volunteer crew.
The lifeboat returned to station at Dungeness, refuelled and was ready for service by 12.30am the following morning.RNLI media contacts
- Judith Richardson, Dungeness RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer
01797 320062 / 07859264226/ [email protected] - Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East) on 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [email protected]
- For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
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.
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