RNLI Wells lifeboat volunteers face strong winds as they rescue fishing vessel
RNLI Wells' all-weather lifeboat were paged by HM Coastguard at 6.56am this morning, 28 April, to go to the assistance of a local fishing vessel which had encountered difficulties when their engine broke down nine miles north of Wells harbour.
The all-weather lifeboat with volunteer crew launched outside the Boathouse on the flood tide at 7.17am and proceeded toward the fishing vessel which had subsequently anchored.
The all-weather lifeboat arrived on scene at 7.58am and assessed the situation. With the north-easterly wind progressively strengthening and the sea conditions intensifying, the decision was taken to tow the vessel toward the safety of Wells Harbour whilst there was enough water in the harbour channel.
The Wells RNLI lifeboat and the fishing vessel reached Wells harbour bar at 10.09am and the tow was shortened up as the sea conditions associated with wind against the ebbing tide, had resulted in a fair amount of white water and breaking waves on the bar.
By 10.25am the lifeboat and its tow had managed to cross the bar and reach the calmer water of the outer harbour.
At 10.50am the fishing vessel was moored safely on the outer harbour pontoons, with its crew of two both uninjured and safe. The lifeboat returned to station and was ashore at 11.15am. It was rehoused, refuelled and sanitised by 12.30pm.
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Justine Sykes, RNLI Wells Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07710510516.
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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal summer, 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 142,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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.
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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.