Plymouth RNLI launch to yachts in gale force winds

Plymouth RNLI volunteer crew’s pagers went off at 5.41am on Saturday morning (2 November). The crew responded immediately to launch the all-weather lifeboat Sybil Mullen Glover

A yacht with one person on board in the Turnchapel Wharf area used his VHF radio to call Falmouth Coastguard to report his prop had become fouled and he was struggling to secure the vessel in the strong winds.

After arriving on scene, the volunteer crew made contact with the casualty who had managed to secure his yacht and was waiting out the storm with his lifejacket on.

On reporting back to Falmouth Coastguard, they requested that the volunteer crew assist another yacht that was dragging its anchor in the West Mud area of the River Tamar. The yacht, with two people on board was drifting in the strong winds and challenging conditions.

The volunteer lifeboat crew arrived on scene and after establishing a tow with the yacht towed it to a safe mooring and took the casualty's safely ashore.

The all-weather lifeboat and the volunteer crew returned to station just in time to see the start of the Rugby

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.