112 year old yacht rescued off The Needles by Yarmouth RNLI

The lifeboat located Iolaire and her two person crew, one nautical mile south west of The Needles lighthouse, suffering from machinery failure and a lack of wind to sail to safety.

An RNLI crew member was transferred aboard, a tow line was passed and the tow back to Yarmouth commenced, with the lifeboat returning to station by 9.45pm.

The Iolaire, is a unique 16m Yawl built in England by the Harris Bros in 1905, she raced successfully in many regattas in her heyday, including Cowes Week and the Fastnet.

RNLI media contacts

• Claire Hallett, Yarmouth RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer 07814 900398
• Richard Heming, Yarmouth RNLI Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer 07810 371233
• Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East) 0207 6207426 / 07785 296252 or Paul Dunt, RNLI Press Officer (London/East/South East) 0207 6207416 / 07866 668825 /
• 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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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.