Swanage Lifeboat launches to second yacht caught on submerged lines in two days

HM Coastguard had received a call from a 42’ yacht, ‘Sundancer’ when she found herself tangled by the stern on fishing gear. The yacht was stranded 15nm south south east of Durlston Head.

The lifeboat launched and made good speed for most of the passage to the casualty’s position, however on entering heavy fog the poor visibility slowed progress. Once on scene, the lifeboat found Sundancer and her 4 crew to be firmly anchored stern to the tide. Several attempts were made to free her from the submerged lines and eventually the vessel floated free, but unable to move her rudder or start her engine.

The volunteers of Swanage Lifeboat set up a tow and a small drogue was streamed behind Sundancer in an attempt to counter the effects of the rudder being fixed in one position following the incident.

Due to the distance offshore and the poor visibility the volunteers took over 2 hours to reach Swanage Bay where the yacht was secured to the lifeboat mooring.

After nearly 5 hours at sea the Swanage all-weather lifeboat was back on her slipway and Sundancer’s crew made arrangements for a diver to investigate the damage.

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