Yarmouth RNLI rescues grounded yacht off the Shingles Bank
The Yarmouth lifeboat was requested to launch by the UK Coastguard at 1.14pm this afternoon, following a call for help from a yacht that had run aground on the treacherous Shingles Bank, one nautical mile to the north of The Needles lighthouse.
In bitterly cold conditions, but otherwise fine weather, the lifeboat sped to the aid of the stricken 13 metre sailing yacht and her crew of two, arriving on scene within 14 minutes.
The lifeboat's smaller Y-boat was immediately deployed and a tow line was passed to the casualty vessel in order to tow her into deeper water. Once clear of the bank, the yacht proceeded to Falmouth and the lifeboat crew recovered the Y-boat and returned to station, arriving back at 3.19pm.
RNLI media contacts
Claire Hallett, Yarmouth RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer 07814 900398, [email protected]
Richard Heming, Yarmouth RNLI Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer 07810 371233
Paul Dunt, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East) 0207 6207416 / 07866 668825 / [email protected]
For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on
01202 336789.
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The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.
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