Arbroath lifeboat assists dismasted yacht
Arbroath’s all weather lifeboat, RNLB Inchcape, was launched on Sunday morning (21st July) to a sailing vessel that had been dismasted 25 nautical miles south of Arbroath with 2 persons on board.
A request for assistance was received from HM Coastguard at approximately 2.45am and the lifeboat was launched soon after.
As the RNLI volunteer crew were making their way to the scene a passing cruise ship was in the area of the casualty vessel and stood by until the lifeboat arrived on scene around 1.5hrs later.
Once on-scene the lifeboat crew assessed the damage to the yacht and established that the mast had been removed to prevent further damage. However, as the yachts engine was still working it was decided that the lifeboat would escort the yacht under it's own power to the safety of Arbroath harbour. So both vessels started the long trip home and arrived in Arbroath harbour 4 hours later.
Coxswain Michael Marr said: 'This shout goes to show that preparation is key when heading out to sea. The crew on the yacht were prepared for the situation, knew what to do and were able to call for help and keep themselves safe through the whole situation. The RNLI always likes to encourage people to ensure they are ready for what ever the sea may throw at them!'
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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