Cromer and Lowestoft RNLI Lifeboats called to help an exhausted lone yachtsman
Two RNLI lifeboat crews were involved in the rescue of an exhausted lone sailor whose vessel was discovered in a gas field off the Norfolk coast
The volunteer crew of Cromer RNLI lifeboat ‘Lester’ was called at 6.41am to go to the aid of a 10-metre yacht with a solo sailor on board – discovered in the middle of the Leman gas field.
A supply vessel, the ‘Putford Athena’ had found the yacht and launched their rescue boat at 0600 hrs. They put a man on board, woke the sailor, contacted Cromer lifeboat and stood by the craft until help arrived.
When Cromer Lifeboat reached the yacht, which was 18.3 nautical miles North East of Cromer, they found that the sailor was feeling ill and was exhausted. A member of the lifeboat crew was put onto the yacht and a towline connected. After starting the journey south to Lowestoft, a call was made to arrange to pass the tow the Suffolk town’s lifeboat.
After launching at 11.30am Lowestoft Lifeboat Coxswain John Fox said “We rendezvoused with the Cromer boat off Happisburgh. We went alongside the yacht and took the Cromer crewman off and transferred a Lowestoft crewman on board.”
With wind conditions described as ‘blowing a decent breeze’, a new towline was connected and Lowestoft RNLI Lifeboat ‘Patsy Knight’ began the 18 miles journey to Lowestoft
Mr Fox added, “Speaking to the sailor he told us that he had only recently purchased the yacht and was intending to sail to Scotland. He had been at sea for around 40 hours and he'd run out of diesel for his engines as well.”
Just after 3pm the yacht was finally brought into the Yacht Basin at Lowestoft where the yachtsman was met by HM Coastguard Rescue Team from Lowestoft and by Suffolk Police.
RNLI media contacts:-
Audrey Smith, Cromer RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer
Mick Howes, Lowestoft RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer� 562488 / 07814 468917 email [email protected]
Clare Hopps RNLI Regional Media Officer (North East & East), Tel 07824 518641 [email protected]
Jim Rice, 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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