Littlehampton Lifeboat launched to stranded yacht

HM Coastguard tasked Littlehampton RNLI to launch following a request for assistance from a yacht located near the eastern wall of the harbour entrance. The yacht had attempted to enter the harbour, but as the tide fell it became grounded. The station’s D Class lifeboat Ray of Hope was launched to assist.

Once it had been ascertained that there were no injuries or health concerns for the 31 foot yacht’s two crew, the RNLI volunteers fixed a tow line in order to assist the grounded vessel into deeper water. However, the tide was still falling and the yacht was stuck fast.

With low water at 1622 BST there was no option other than to wait for the tide to rise again so that the yacht could be refloated and it’s crew elected to stay on board.

To ensure that the vessel was safe Ray of Hope returned to Littlehampton lifeboat station to fetch a kedge anchor that was used to secure the yacht as the tide rose. Ray of Hope again returned to the station allowing the RNLI crew some respite before deploying the station’s Atlantic 85 Class lifeboat Renee Sherman at around 7pm.

A stern tow of the yacht was established and it was refloated. However, the yacht appeared to have damaged its rudder so the tow was re-established and the yacht was towed in to the Littlehampton harbour moorings. Renee Sherman stood down at 8.30pm.

Ivan Greer, Helm of Ray of Hope, said: ‘When we arrived at the harbour entrance we could see the yacht was grounding and due to the falling tide establishing an effective tow was not possible. We made the vessel secure and decided to refloat the yacht on the rising tide with a guiding tow. This proved to be successful, but the yacht’s steering was found to be comprised so we established a third tow to bring the boat in to harbour. Fortunately the sea conditions were slight with a moderate south-westerly breeze, but it was still hot work in the summer sunshine’.

ENDS

RNLI media contacts

Anthony Fogg, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Littlehampton RNLI 07823 509032 [email protected]

Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer, London and South East 07785 296252 [email protected]

For enquiries outside normal business hours contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

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 over 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 142,700 lives.

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.

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