Donate now

Two saved from sinking yacht at Langstone Harbour entrance.

Lifeboats News Release

RNLI Portsmouth Lifeboat Launched on service this afternoon (Monday 1st May 17:16) to a MAYDAY call, reporting a yacht fast taking on water at Langstone harbour entrance. The Atlantic Lifeboat arrived on-scene with only moments to spare, seawater inches from the gunwales.

Arriving quickly the volunteer crew was able to evacuate the two casualties and start the salvage pump to battle the ingress of water in an attempt to save the sinking yacht.
Slowly bringing the yacht under control, an alongside tow was established to stabilize the swapped vessel and to try and manoeuvre it to a safe location to ground it and inspect for damage and the source of the water leak. However, unable to safely tow the 16ft yacht against the tide and still battling a fast ingress of water, the decision was made to immediately beach the boat on Hayling Gunner point, therefore preventing any further damage or an entire loss.

As the tide was going out the yacht became firmly beached on the shore so units from both Hayling Coastguard assisted with securing the yacht while the casualties were taken to Portsmouth boathouse and the waiting Coastguard unit.
Yacht grounded to prevent total loss

RNLI/Aaron Gent

Yacht grounded to prevent total loss
Download image
ILB ashore after bringing additional fuel for the salvage pump which had been running for nearly half an hour

RNLI/Aaron Gent

ILB ashore after bringing additional fuel
Download image
Video Capture

RNLI/Aaron Gent

Video Capture
Download image

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.

About the author

Aaron Gent
Lifeboat Press Officer, Portsmouth Lifeboat Station

Categories