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Eastbourne Lifeboat rescues 120 tonne vessel

Lifeboats News Release

The volunteer crew of Eastbourne lifeboat were paged at 1.30pm on Friday to assist the largest vessel in the local commercial fishing fleet which had lost all power when its propeller became obstructed.

The 120 tonne Royal Sovereign was working six miles offshore when ropes became entangled around the propeller of the single engine anchoring the vessel to the seabed. Unable to manoeuvre or clear the obstruction the crew had no option but to request assistance. The Royal Sovereign’s sister ship Beachy Head which was also working in the area came to assist and managed to cut Royal Sovereign free but the propeller was still jammed. The lifeboat crew attached a towline and the delicate operation of guiding the heavy casualty through the narrow entrance to the marina locks began. Beachy Head attached a stern line to the casualty and acted as a brake as lifeboat Coxswain Mark Sawyer skilfully threaded the convoy through the locks into Sovereign Harbour.
Convoy entering Sovereign Harbour

RNLI/Bob Jeffery

Entering Sovereign Harbour
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Entering locks at Sovereign Harbour

RNLI/Bob Jeffery

Entering Locks at Sovereign Harbour
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RNLI/Bob Jeffery

Tight fit in the locks
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Finally coming alongside

RNLI/Bob Jeffery

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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.

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About the author

Bob Jeffery Volunteer Press Officer

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