Dungeness lifeboat tasked to assist lone yachtsman

Once on scene Mark Richardson, volunteer deputy second coxswain in command of the RNLI Shannon class lifeboat 13-02 ‘The Morrell’ and her volunteer crew put one crewmember on board the casualty to assess the situation and health of the lone sailor.

After assessment, the decision was made that the lifeboat should wait half an hour to secure the casualty who was anchored in 3’ of water, and allow the water to rise so the stricken vessel could then float and enable the lifeboat to retrieve the anchor and safely rig a tow. After a safe towage was established the lifeboat slowly manoeuvred the heavy casualty to Dover Harbour in the dense fog and moored it safely at the visitors berth.

RNLI deputy second coxswain Richardson said ‘our team of volunteers worked hard to enable the lone yachtsman to accomplish a safe outcome in the dense fog’

RNLI media contacts

• Judith Richardson – Dungeness RNLIVolunteer Lifeboat Press Officer
  Tel: 01797 320062/Mob: 07859264226
• Email: [email protected]
• Paul Dunt, RNLI Regional Media Officer (South East) 0207 6207416/07786 66882 [email protected]

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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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