Lowestoft RNLI Lifeboat called to aid safety boat during dinghy racing contest
A volunteer lifeboat crew was called out during heats for a prestigious sailing competition to assist a safety boat that had got into difficulties.
Lowestoft RNLI Lifeboat was called out during the third heat of the International Laser Class Association’s World and European qualifiers being held on the east coast, when a rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) requested assistance after being stranded with a rope and chain around its propeller.
The Lowestoft RNLI relief lifeboat, RNLB Cosandra, was tasked with going to the aid of the two-man crew aboard the safety boat, about 4pm on Saturday (October 13) as the top class dinghy racing continued.
Lowestoft lifeboat coxswain John Fox said: 'The RHIB was actually on the Newcombe Sands and we touched the bottom as we approached the vessel. It was awash with water breaking over the craft completely filling it.
'The safety boat was towing some marker buoys when the ropes and chains attached to them fouled the propeller and caused the engine to stop. As the seawater engulfed the craft they also managed to lose the ignition key of the vessel overboard.
'We assisted by throwing them a tow line and brought the safety boat back into the yacht basin, arriving about 4.30pm. The two crew members were fine – if a little wet!'
RNLI media contacts
· Mick Howes, Lowestoft RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer
01502 562488 / 07814 468917 email
[email protected]
· Clare Hopps RNLI Regional Media Officer (North East & East), Tel 07824 518641 [email protected]
· Nicola Quinn, RNLI Regional Media Manager, Tel: 07810 658 072. [email protected]
· For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789. For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
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