On Tuesday 14 December at 12.33pm, the volunteer crew of Dungeness lifeboat were tasked to a ‘Mayday’ between Rye and Dungeness after a yacht with two people on board had hailed for help due to a fire.
The RNLI all weather lifeboat and her highly trained crew launched at best speed and arrived on scene just after 1.00pm.
An assessment was made on scene and it was established that the fire had been fully extinguished by the two people on board, however, the engine was no longer working. The two crewmen confirmed they were fit and well.
The coxswain then decided that the best course of action was to tow the vessel to the nearest safe haven, which was the Port of Dover. The casualty vessel was towed to Dover, arriving in the safety of the marina at 4.45pm.
Stuart Adams, Coxswain of Dungeness Lifeboat says: ‘The crew members on the yacht today acted in the most professional manner in dealing with the fire. I was assured to see that they had taken all safety precautions and were wearing lifejackets as well as having a liferaft. Our volunteer crew are very glad that we could help and we wish them all the best.’
The RNLI lifeboat was then stood down by UK Coastguard and returned back to Dungeness, arriving at approximately 5.40pm.
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Sarah Beck, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07956615429 or [email protected] or Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer on 07785296252 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
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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.
