Engine failure strikes cross-channel yacht passage

The 38' yacht, with two persons on board, had suffered a gearbox failure earlier in the passage, but had continued the crossing under sail alone. As the wind died and the tide built up against them they rigged up a small outboard motor to help make headway - but they didn't have enough fuel to complete the journey.

The UK Coastguard were monitoring their progress and requested the assistance of Swanage lifeboat when it became clear that the yacht couldn't easily avoid other traffic and several large cruise ships and commercial vessels were in the area.

The lifeboat launched and plotted a course, making very good speed in flat seas. A little over 30 minutes later, two crew were placed on board the yacht to help secure a tow and a new course was plotted back to Swanage - this time at considerably less speed.

Roughly three and a half hours later the two boats rounded Peveril Point into Swanage Bay. The yacht was taken alongside the lifeboat and secured to the lifeboat mooring for the remainder of the night. The two occupants stayed on board to get some well-deserved rest, while the lifeboat crew recovered the lifeboat, washed and re-fuelled ready for the next incident, and returned to their homes just as the first light of dawn began to appear.

ALB Crew: (Coxn) Dave Turnbull, Robert Aggas, Steve Williams, Gavin Steeden, John Deas, Alan Parmenter
Shore Crew: (Head Launcher) Andy Redout, (Winchman) Paul Bedford, Ben Clarke, Jamie Trumper, Nigel Bower

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