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French yacht towed in by RNLI Lerwick Lifeboat

Lifeboats News Release

Lerwick lifeboat was tasked to assist the French-registered vessel after it suffered engine failure.

Lerwick lifeboat took the French yacht under tow

RNLI

Lerwick lifeboat took the French yacht under tow
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Lerwick Lifeboat today launched around 12.15pm to go to the aid of a French yacht with family of three on board, which had contacted the UK Coastguard after experiencing engine failure.

The lifeboat reached the stricken yacht around 12.30pm around three nautical miles east of Helli Ness by Cunningsburgh, and took her under tow into Lerwick harbour. The weather was fair with a moderate westerly breeze and slight seas, and both vessels made progress of around 6-7 knots, arriving back at the small boat harbour in Lerwick at around 2pm.

Tommy Goudie, Deputy Coxswain said: “The skipper of the vessel did the right thing in contacting the Coastguard as soon as they realised they needed assistance. Their yacht is well equipped but had suffered an engine failure which they were unable to repair at sea and our volunteer crew were pleased to be able to assist.”

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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About the author

Bob Kerr
Lifeboat Press Officer, Lerwick Lifeboat Station

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