Redcar and Hartlepool lifeboats come to the aid of disabled yacht

The alarm was raised just after 5.15pm by an off-duty Redcar RNLI crew member who saw the yacht sailing close inshore and then strike rocks known as East Scar.

The Redcar lifeboat launched and was quickly alongside the yacht, which had crossed over more rocks and was heading for a larger group of rocks called Saltscar.

A lifeboat crew member was put aboard the craft and discovered that there had been an engine fire which the two-man crew had managed to extinguish, but this has resulted in the total loss of electrical power on the yacht.

The crew were able to sail the yacht to safe waters, guided by the lifeboat. Once clear of the rocks a tow was rigged and a course set for Hartlepool.

The Hartlepool inshore lifeboat was tasked to rendezvous with the Redcar lifeboat and the tow was handed over for the final leg into Kafega landing in Victoria Dock, where a UK Coastguard rescue team was waiting.

Ends

Notes to editors:

• Redcar lifeboat station has been operating since 1802

• Redcar currently operates a B-class lifeboat named Leicester Challenge III, paid for by the people of Leicester, and an IB1-class lifeboat named Eileen May Loach-Thomas, paid from the legacy of the late Mr Nick Thomas of Shropshire

• For more news, information and images go to www.redcarlifeboat.org.uk. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/redcarrnli and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RedcarRNLI

• Any images used should be credited RNLI/Redcar unless indicated

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For more information please contact Dave Cocks, RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager on 07894 558 483. Alternatively, contact Clare Hopps, RNLI Press Officer, North 07824 518641 or at [email protected], or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789; [email protected]

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