Small fishing boat rescued from south of The Needles Lighthouse.

Launching at 9.25pm and making best speed, the volunteer crew of the Lymington lifeboat arrived on scene shortly before 10.00pm to find that the well equipped craft had unfortunately suffered a mechanical and electrical failure that prevented propulsion.

A tow was established and with the advantage of a flooding spring tide a quick passage was made back to the fishing boat's home port at Keyhaven.

With the casualty vessel secured, Lymington lifeboat returned to station just after 11pm to be made ready for further service.

Another night call makes 2017 one of the busiest years ever for the volunteers at Lymington RNLI station.

RNLI Media Contacts:

• Peter Mills, Lymington RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer 07767 213583 [email protected]
• Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (South East) on 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 email [email protected]

· For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789 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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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.