Both Hartlepool RNLI lifeboats launch to assist vessels

The coble had earlier offered assistance to the 22ft yacht with one person on board that had suffered mechanical failure near the Old Pier at Middleton, Hartlepool but once alongside the yacht the coble with six people on board suffered a fouled propeller and was unable to assist the yacht.
Both lifeboats launched at 2.40pm and were alongside the casualty vessels within a few minutes where they were towed back to Kafiga Landings at the Headland, Hartlepool.
The all weather lifeboat 'Betty Huntbatch' and inshore lifeboat 'Solihull' returned to the Ferry Road lifeboat station at 3.15pm and were refuelled and made ready for service by 3.30pm.
Hartlepool Rnli Lifeboat Operations Manager ‘Chris Hornsey said ‘Once again a quick response from the volunteer crewmembers brought the incident to a safe and satisfactory end’.
The sea state was calm with a 4 knot northerly wind.

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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