40ft yacht requires assistance from Blyth RNLI

Late on Friday evening the volunteer crew from Blyth RNLI were required to assist a yacht which was on passage from Rosyth to Newcastle.

Both inshore lifeboats were launched at 9.45pm and headed out to the wind turbines east of the Port of Blyth.

It was soon established that the casualty vessel wasn't in the position that was first advised and it was requested that the vessel fired flares so that a more accurate location could be established.

At 10.00pm the yacht sent flares into the night sky which were seen by the volunteer crew and they headed north of Newbiggin where the vessel was.

Upon reaching the 40ft yacht it was found that the gentleman aboard was requiring assistance to bring his yacht to a safe berth for the evening.

A tow was established by the B Class inshore lifeboat Vic & Billie Whiffen at 10.30pm whilst the D Class inshore lifeboat Alan & Amy returned to the lifeboat station at Blyth.

It was agreed that the yacht would be taken to the visitors berth at the Royal Northumberland Yacht in the South Harbour at Blyth.

At 23.55pm the volunteer crew tied up the casualty vessel at South Harbour and with assistance of Blyth Coastguard Rescue Team who also provide safety advice to the crew on the yacht.

The B Class lifeboat then made it's short way back to the Lifeboat Station and together with the D Class both boats were made ready for service at 12.10am.

RNLI Media Contact

Robin Palmer Volunteer Crew Member and Lifeboat Press Officer

Email [email protected]

Mobile 07801 290638

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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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