Sheerness RNLI lifeboat in search for a yacht
The Sheerness all weather lifeboat was called to search for a yacht whose crew were unsure of their whereabouts
The volunteer crew of the Sheerness RNLI all weather lifeboat launched at 8.48pm on Friday 20 April 2018 after a call from the UK Coastguard reported that a 25’ yacht ‘Sea Jade’ had lost engine propulsion and the two people on board were unsure of their whereabouts.
With no VHF radio on board the only method of communication was by mobile phone with the UK Coastguard who had also alerted Rescue helicopter 163 from Lydd to the situation.
The ALB proceeded eastwards after launching to the possible search area and with further information from the UK Coastguard the approximate position of the yacht was established as being in the area of the Red Sands Towers.
Rescue 163 located the craft and illuminated it for the ALB which arrived on the scene at 9.14pm.and having ascertained that the two people plus their two small dogs were not in need of any medical assistance the helicopter was stood down.
The two plus their dogs were then transferred onto the lifeboat and two crew members were put onto the yacht for the tow back to Queenborough harbour which commenced at 9. 23pm.The yacht was secured on the all tide landing at 11.10pm where the Sheppey Coastguard Rescue team were in attendance.
The two people had only purchased the craft the previous day and had been travelling from Walton on the Naze in Essex to Faversham when they got into difficulties.
The ALB was back on station at 11.17pm and was ready for service after cleaning and refuelling at 11.46pm
The Sheerness RNLI inshore lifeboat crew were also in action after being called out at 2.40pm on Saturday 21 April to a yacht ‘Mary Poppins’ which was reported to be aground close to the Martello Tower on the Isle of Grain.
The lifeboat was underway when a further call was received from the Medway VTS advising that the yacht was now afloat and proceeding to Queenborough Harbour.
The ILB located the craft with two people on board who reported they were ok and that no assistance was needed.
Having issued safety advice, the ILB was stood down and returned to station at 2.54pm and was ready for service again at 3.15pm.
Wind easterly force 3.
Ends
Media contacts:
Vic Booth RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer (Sheerness) 07926904453 / 01795 880544 [email protected]
Paul Dunt RNLI Press Officer S.E. [email protected] 07785296252
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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