Plymouth lifeboat launched to locate a lost yacht

The RNLI was contacted by Falmouth Coastguard to search for a yacht with an older crew on board who were tired and disorientated. It was a difficult search due to the moderate sea conditions and the cloud blocking out the moon making the night very dark. It was raining and the wind was blowing westerly. The yacht had no GPS or navigation lights. Lifeboat Sybil Mullen Glover arrived on scene at 2.15am.

Coxswain David Milford decided to transfer two crew members to the vessel to assist the persons on board as they were by now exhausted. A tow was established and slowly made way back to Mayflower Marina. Although embarrassed that they had to be rescued by the RNLI the couple were very grateful. The lifeboat and crew returned to the station at 4.45am

Notes to editors

• Plymouth RNLI lifeboat has been operating since 1862. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to www.rnli.org.uk/plymouth
• Enclosed picture Severn class lifeboat on scene with the casualty. Taken by Les Butler RNLI mechanic

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