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Hartlepool RNLI lifeboats launched to assist yacht

Lifeboats News Release

Both Hartlepool RNLI lifeboats were launched on Sunday 16th May 2021 to assist a 31ft yacht with two people on board that had suffered mechanical failure approximately 1 mile off Hartlepool.

RNLI/Tom Collins

Hartlepool RNLI lifeboats pictured with the yacht that had suffered mechanical failure.

Volunteers had been paged by Humber Coastguard at 3.00pm to assemble at the boathouse before heading to sea in the all weather lifeboat ‘Betty Huntbatch’ which launched at 3.30pm followed shortly afterwards by the inshore lifeboat ‘Solihull’ to assist with berthing the vessel.

Both boats were alongside the casualty vessel within 5 minutes where a tow was attached from the all weather lifeboat, a crewmember from the inshore lifeboat was placed aboard the yacht and the yacht was then towed to the Fish Quay at the Headland, Hartlepool.

Following the tow both boats returned to the Ferry Road boathouse at 4.30pm and were refuelled and made ready for service by 5.00pm.

Hartlepool RNLI deputy launch authority Steve Pounder said ‘The volunteer crew train for incidents like this on a regular basis. The weather conditions necessitated both boats which brought the incident to a safe conclusion’.

Sea state was slight with good visibility.


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.

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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.

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