Disabled yacht and disappointed Brownies – dealt with by Margate RNLI

The 8m long vessel with two persons on board was around three miles off North Foreland late this afternoon (Friday 19 July) when its propeller became fouled while close to busy shipping lanes. Unable to solve their problem the crew issued a Pan Pan urgency broadcast on marine VHF radio which was picked up by UK Coastguard.

A nearby survey vessel responded to the broadcast and Margate’s RNLI all-weather lifeboat was tasked to provide assistance. The survey vessel stood by the casualty vessel and provided reassurance until the lifeboat arrived on scene around 15 minutes after launching.

As is common in such situations, and with those on hand unable to clear the obstruction from the vessel’s propeller, the best course of action was to take the vessel under tow and once a tow line had been secured it was towed to the safety of Ramsgate harbour where it was met by volunteer members of Margate’s Coastguard Rescue Team who checked on the welfare of the yacht’s crew.

The ‘missing lifeboat’ was a major talking point for a local Brownie pack who arrived for a pre-planned visit to the station. All was not lost however as the remaining shore crew and an RNLI lifeguard from Margate main sands stepped in to give a talk on beach safety as well as provide a look at the inshore lifeboat. We give our best wishes to the Brownies who were invested into their pack during what we hope was a memorable visit.

ENDS

RNLI Media contacts

• Peter Barker, RNLI Margate Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer 07974 064304 peter_barker@rnli.org.uk

• Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (SouthEast), 0207 6207416, 07786 668825 paul_dunt@rnli.org.uk

• 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, in a normal year, 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.

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Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.