Mobile phone call from yacht results in Littlehampton RNLI lifeboat launching
Following a mobile phone call to Littlehampton Harbour Board from the skipper of the yacht, the UK Coastguard requested an immediate readiness launch from Littlehampton RNLI.
The yacht with three people on board was sailing towards Brighton Marina, but suffered a problem with fouling to its propeller. Due to no engine power the yacht’s skipper decide to revert to using the sail for the onward journey. When the yacht was nearing Littlehampton, the skipper decided to contact the Harbour Board and requested assistance. Due to the time of the event the Harbour Board had nobody available on the water to help, but told the skipper to call the UK Coastguard, who then called Littlehampton’s RNLI lifeboat station. At 5.51pm on Friday 8 June the stations Atlantic 85 Renée Sherman lifeboat and volunteer crew launched and headed out in fine weather conditions towards the vessel. Initial reports stated that the casualties position was two and a half miles south of the harbour entrance. In the meantime, the casualty had progressed on its journey and was nearing the entrance to Littlehampton harbour. At the scene the casualty was then taken under tow by the lifeboat and was secured safely at Town Quay. The lifeboat returned to the station at 6.45pm where it was refuelled and made ready for service.
RNLI media contacts
- Ray Pye, Littlehampton RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer / 07854 074688, email [email protected]
- Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (South East) on 0207 6207426, 07785 296252, email [email protected]
- For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the 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.
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