St Mary's RNLI lifeboat rescue lone yachtsman

The volunteer crew reached the small 7.5 metre yacht about 4.5 miles west of Bishop Rock lighthouse. There was one person on board and he'd reported having engine problems in a big sea with increasing East South Easterly winds. The volunteer crew managed to get a line aboard and started a two hour tow to St. Mary's.

Once the yacht was safely placed alongside the quay at 11am, the lifeboat was refuelled and put back on the mooring ready for service.

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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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.