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Disabled yacht rescued by Eastbourne Lifeboat

Lifeboats News Release

In deteriorating weather conditions the volunteer crew of Eastbourne’s all-weather lifeboat were paged at 8.41pm last evening (24 Aug) to assist a yacht with three persons on board which had suffered engine failure.

Disabled yacht safe in Sovereign Harbour locks

RNLI/James Wishman

Yacht safe in marina locks
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The 30ft yacht was heading west when it suffered engine failure. Sailing into a brisk SW wind progress was difficult and with a forecast of freshening winds the skipper took the sensible option and called HM Coastguard for assistance. Having made contact and after transmitting an accurate GPS position, the crew turned off their navigation lights to preserve power for future vital VHF radio transmissions. Given a precise positional location the lifeboat, equipped with its sophisticated tracking equipment, quickly found the stricken vessel in the darkness 7.5 miles from Sovereign Harbour. A towline was attached and the slow return to harbour commenced, finally arriving at the safety of the marina locks shortly before midnight.

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.

About the author

Bob Jeffery
Lifeboat Press Officer, Eastbourne Lifeboat Station

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