RNLI Stonehaven crew helps Grateful US yacht continue its UK tour
The RNLI Stonehaven lifeboat helped out a US yacht crew caught in a bit of a tangle this morning (Thu 5 Aug).
Rope from a creel line floating on the surface of the sea had become wrapped around the propeller and shaft of the Grateful Red, leaving them without power.
The volunteer crew was called out by the UK Coastguard to assist and they launched the inshore lifeboat the Jamie Hunter just after 10am.
There was good visibility in moderate conditions as they made their way just over half a mile from the Stonehaven breakwater to the stranded 40ft yacht.
The Atlantic 85 lifeboat towed the yacht into harbour to get their equipment untangled and allow the three-man crew to set out once more on their journey round the UK coast.
Kenny Jones, RNLI helm for Stonehaven’s lifeboat, said: “It was a straightforward operation that went smoothly, and we were happy to help out.
“The skipper and crew are all from Key West in Florida, and they are sailing round the UK coast before two of them go off to join the US Forces.
“They’d been considering coming in under sail, but they were grateful when we offered them a tow into the harbour.
“Hopefully, it won’t waylay them for long and they can soon set out again on their adventure.”
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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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