Motor yacht takes on water

On Saturday 4 August at 1pm, whilst on route to give a demonstration at the 'Save Hythe Pier & Ferry' event, Calshot RNLI Lifeboat's volunteer crew were tasked to assist Hamble Lifeboat with a 42ft motor yacht that was taking on water.

On arrival Hamble Lifeboat had carried out the initial inspection and had their salvage pump on board, Calshot RNLI crew then joined them on board to set up a second salvage pump.

The cause of the intake was the motor yacht's main exhaust bellow, it had a large split in the hose and was quickly taking on water.

Calshot's Atlantic 85 Lifeboat 'Max Walls' assisted Hamble Lifeboat with an alongside tow to Hythe Marina dock where a decision was made that the motor yacht needed to be lifted from the water as soon as possible.

The Atlantic 85 took over the tow through the marina's lock system, once through the motor yacht was lifted out of the water allowing the water to be pumped out ready for repair.

The speed in which the vessel was taking on water meant the volunteer crews had to act extremely quickly to ensure the safety of those on board. Without the aid of lifeboat volunteers and the vicinity of the marine, it could have been a very different story.

Ends

Media Contacts

• Laura Bean, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Office 07772 529985 [email protected]

• Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer, London and South East 07785 296252 [email protected]

• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact RNLI duty press officer on (01202) 336789

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.