No festivities for Yarmouth RNLI as unmarked lobster pot 'anchors' yacht
The Yarmouth RNLI all-weather lifeboat 'The Eric and Susan Hiscock' based on the Isle of Wight had to leave the annual Old Yarmouth Gaffers Festival celebrations to assist the yacht 'Hong Kong Star' which had fouled its propeller on unmarked lobster pot gear.
The yacht had sailed over the fishing gear off Brook Ledge on the south side of the Isle of Wight and was unable to get free without assistance. The lifeboat crew deployed their small Y boat which is carried on the all-weather lifeboat and cut the yacht free. She was then able to continue on her way.
'This type of emergency is all too common and lends weight to the current campaign to have fishing gear properly marked,' said Yarmouth Lifeboat Press Officer Richard Heming. 'A vessel unable to move is both a danger to itself and to other shipping'.
The Yarmouth Old Gaffers Festival is in its 20th year and celebrates gaff-rigged boats with races across the Solent, and live music and a fun-fair on shore.
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Richard Heming on 07810 371233 or Claire Hallett on 07814 900398.
Tim Ash, RNLI Public Manager (South East and London) on 0207 6207426 or 07785 296252, email tim_ash@rnli.org.uk or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789
Paul Dunt, RNLI Press Officer London/southeast/east. Tel: (0207) 6207416. Mob: (07786) 668825 [email protected]
RNLI online: For more information on the RNLI please visit www.rnli.org.uk. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI Press Centre.
Key facts about the RNLI: 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 over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 140 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. 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 137,000 lives.
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A charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number CHY 2678 in the Republic of Ireland.
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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.