Lone sailor towed to safety
Sheerness RNLI lifeboat were called out to assist a yacht in trouble in the Medway Estuary
The volunteer crew of the Sheerness RNLI inshore lifeboat ‘Buster’ launched at 1.50pm on Sunday 24 September after a call from the UK Coastguard reported that a 19 foot yacht ‘Freewind’ with one man on board was in difficulty after suffering rudder failure.
Initial reports gave the yachts position as being approximately one and a half miles from the mouth of the estuary but further reports whilst the ILB was on route now gave the position as being North West of Garrison Point.
Having turned around the ILB finally located the casualty close to the Martello Tower off the Isle of Grain.
A tow line was attached and the craft was taken to Queenborough Harbour where it was secured on a mooring at 3.10pm and the man was landed ashore into the care of the Sheppey Coastguard rescue team.
Weather conditions in the estuary at the time were good with a NW wind blowing force 3
The ILB was back on station at 3.25pm
Ends
Media contacts:
Vic Booth RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer (Sheerness) 07926904453 / 01795 880544 [email protected]
Paul Dunt RNLI Press Officer S.E. [email protected] 07786668825
For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
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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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