Yarmouth RNLI launch in gale force winds
Yarmouth’s Severn class all weather lifeboat, 'Eric and Susan Hiscock (Wanderer),' was tasked to launch by HM Coastguard on Friday 21 May 2021 at 2.20pm to reports of a boat drifting in rough seas south west of Bramble Bank.
Launching in challenging weather conditions, with wind gusts exceeding 50 knots, Yarmouth RNLI’s volunteer crew headed east towards Cowes. While on route, they established that the vessel they were searching for was a 24 foot cabin cruiser.
Initially hampered by poor visibility, the lifeboat crew struggled to locate the vessel that had travelled east on the flooding tide.The drifting motorboat was eventually located close to the shore at Lee on Solent.
The all weather lifeboat transferred a crew member to the stricken vessel to assess the situation, they found no one on board, and a tow was established to take the boat to safety. With rough seas of up to a 4 metre swell, it was not possible to tow the casualty into a flooding tide against a gale force south westerly. Based on the weather conditions, it was decided that Portsmouth was the nearest safe harbour and the cabin cruiser was brought safely alongside in Haslar Marina.
HM coastguard were able to make contact with the owner and Yarmouth RNLI understand that there was no one on board when the boat, believed to be from Cowes, had broken free of her mooring.
Yarmouth lifeboat returned to her berth and was ready for service at 5.05pm
The RNLI remains an independent charity that relies on voluntary contributions to fund its lifesaving work.
Media contacts:
Teresa Fox, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Yarmouth Lifeboat Station [email protected] 07976 731906
Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer SE and London [email protected].uk
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 year, 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 websiteor Facebook, Twitterand 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 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.