Weymouth RNLI escorts yacht

Weymouth RNLI all-weather lifeboat Ernest and Mabel was launched at 2.30pm on Wednesday 2 May 2018 to go to the assistance of a yacht just off of Portland Bill.

Solent Coastguard had tasked the lifeboat to go to the assistance of a 35' yacht on passage from Portland to Dartmouth with three persons on board which had reported that their back stay had broken and there was the danger of the mast falling down.

Once on scene at 2.50pm the volunteer lifeboat crew in communication with the yacht crew decided that it would be best for the yacht to make her own way back to Weymouth using her engine, while the lifeboat escorted her through to calmer waters and back to Weymouth Harbour arriving at 5pm.

The yacht tied up opposite the lifeboat station and was meet by Wyke Coastguard who offered safety advice to the crew.

The lifeboat returned to berth and made ready for the next shout.

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.