Eastbourne RNLI save stricken yacht.
On Monday 31 May 2021, the volunteer crew of Eastbourne RNLI were paged at 11.11pm to assist a yacht that had suffered engine failure close to Belle Tout lighthouse.
The yacht skipper dropped his anchor and called for assistance using his radio.
Eastbourne RNLI’s all weather lifeboat, Diamond Jubilee, was launched and arrived on scene shortly after midnight.
A volunteer member of the crew boarded the yacht to lend assistance and the casualty vessel was towed to the safety of Sovereign Harbour with the crew stood down at 1.50am.
RNLI Coxswain Mark Sawyer who led the rescue said: ‘This was a rapid response to an incident that could have escalated into something far more serious.
Once the skipper realised the danger, he used his anchor to fix his position and used his radio to call for assistance, which our volunteer crew were able to provide.
This shows the importance of having the correct safety equipment on board’
Media contacts:
Craig Robinson, Eastbourne RNLI Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer (07956) 638924 [email protected]
Daniel Baldock, Eastbourne RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer (07895) 369688 [email protected] [email protected]
Paul Dunt, RNLI Regional Media Officer London London and South East (07785) 296252 [email protected]
RNLI online: For more information on the RNLI please visit http://www.rnli.org/. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre.
Key facts about the RNLI
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 237 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 180 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.
The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.
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 or by email.
The RNLI is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number 20003326 in the Republic of Ireland.
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.