Dart and Torbay RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews in joint response to engine fire
At 1.41pm on Friday 14 July, Dart RNLI received a launch request from the Solent Coastguard to assist two sailors on board a 10m yacht experiencing an engine fire in Lyme Bay.
The RNLI Dart inshore lifeboat located the stricken vessel 8.5miles south east of Brixham and on arrival put a crewmember on board to assess the situation. Fortunately the fire had been extinguished but as a result the yacht had now lost all power so was unable to return to the port.
The Torbay RNLI all-weather lifeboat crew arrived shortly after 2pm and were able to tow the vessel safely back to Brixham. The inshore lifeboat crew returned to Dart lifeboat station and were back on service at 3.45pm.
The Dart lifeboat crew members involved were Helm Kevin Murphy and crew Katy Locke and Yorkie Lomas. The Dart shore crew members involved were Tractor Driver Jerry Gilby and crew Tom Shanley and Paul Manley.
The Torbay lifeboat crew members involved were Coxswain Mark Criddle, Mechanic Will Bower and crew Nigel Crang, Sean Ingham, Julian Blewitt and Dean Izzard.
RNLI notes to editors
The enclosed photo shows the Torbay RNLI Severn class all-weather lifeboat arriving to assist the stricken yacht. Please credit RNLI/Dart.
RNLI media contactsFor more information contact Vicki Bowen, Torbay RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07794043428 or email [email protected]; or contact John Fenton, Dart RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer on 07970921504 or email [email protected].
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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