Wells RNLI lifeboat crew rescue run aground speedboat in strong, offshore winds
Wells Coastwatch alerted HM Coastguard to a six metre speedboat with two persons onboard, which had drifted in the strong, gusting offshore winds, before running aground onto Bob Hall Sands opposite their Coastwatch lookout.
The 6-metre speedboat had experienced engine failure in the outer harbour and efforts to restart the engine proved unsuccessful. There was concern that with the craft already aground as highwater approached, its crew would not be able to return to safety once the water started to drain speedily off Bob Hall sands on the ebbing tide.
HM Coastguard tasked the Wells Inshore Lifeboat at 5.42pm and the crew of three launched outside the Boathouse at 5.54pm. With the speedboat in sight, the inshore lifeboat was quickly on scene at 5.59pm to assess the situation. The best course of action was deemed to be to establish a tow, refloat the speedboat and proceed back to the safety of Wells Quay.
The tow commenced at 6.04pm and the lifeboat and speedboat arrived safely alongside Wells Harbour pontoons at 6.26pm. With the craft safely alongside and with the local Coastguard team in attendance, no further assistance was required. The Lifeboat returned to Station at 6.29pm and was ashore at 6.36pm.
The Lifeboat was rehoused, sanitised and refuelled, and was ready again for service at 7pm.
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Justine Sykes, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07710510516 or [email protected] or Paul Dunt, [email protected] Regional Media Officer on 07785 296252 or or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
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 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.