Ilfracombe RNLI lifeboat assists exhausted sailors

As the lifeboat was being recovered from an earlier helicopter winching display for the annual ‘Birdman’ event, they were tasked to reports of the yacht struggling in the strong winds and heavy squally showers.

Upon arrival at the scene, volunteer crew member Andy Day was transferred aboard the yacht whose two exhausted sailors were cold, wet and suffering the effects of seasickness.

The lifeboat towed the yacht the 13 miles back to Ilfracombe harbour where her crew were given warm drinks at the station until they could be collected.

Andrew Bengey, volunteer RNLI coxswain at Ilfracombe, said:

‘This was an unfortunate situation for the yacht’s crew to find themselves in. The weather we experienced on Saturday meant that they just got caught out in the bad conditions. When sailing, always wear an appropriate lifejacket and always carry a means of calling and signalling for help.’

For more information contact Jessica Putt, Media Engagement Placement, at [email protected] or Emma Haines, Regional Media Officer, at [email protected]

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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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