St Bees RNLI in catamaran rescue

The RNLI volunteers Saturday morning lie in was cut short when they were requested by Belfast Coastguard to go to the aid of a sailing vessel that had suffered engine failure and a fouled rudder.

After a brief search, involving Belfast and Whitehaven Coastguard and the shore crew of St Bees RNLI, the stricken vessel was located about six miles from Whitehaven. Just before 9:00am St Bees lifeboat came alongside the yacht and a crew member was sent on board the vessel to establish a tow line. The catamaran was then successfully towed into Whitehaven Harbour by St Bees lifeboat ‘Joy Morris MBE’ where they were met by members of Whitehaven Coastguard.

Dick Beddows St Bees RNLI Operations Manager said ‘Its been a quiet few months for our volunteers but when their pagers went off they all responded quickly to help the unfortunate yachtsman’

For more information please telephone Colin Wadey, St Bees RNLI Volunteer Press Officer on 07742207222 email [email protected]

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.