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Eastbourne Lifeboat assists disabled yacht

Lifeboats News Release

Eastbourne inshore lifeboat launched on Sunday afternoon (23 April) to assist a yacht back to Sovereign Harbour which had suffered engine failure

Disabled yacht receives side by side tow into marina locak

RNLI/Bob Jeffery

Side by side tow into marina locks
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The skipper of the 30ft yacht contacted Sovereign Harbour shortly after 3pm whilst two miles south of the marina to report that his vessel had suffered an engine failure and that they were unable to enter the harbour entrance without assistance. With both marina locks operating at full capacity harbour staff were unable to assist so the request was passed to HM Coastguard, they in turn requested the launch of Eastbourne lifeboats. The volunteer inshore lifeboat crew were paged and were alongside the casualty vessel within a few minutes. A lifeboat crewman was put aboard and rigged a towline; the yacht was then taken under tow to the safety of the marina locks.

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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About the author

Bob Jeffery Volunteer Press Officer Eastbourne Lifeboats

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