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Lizard Lifeboat Launches to Assist a Vessel with no Engine Power

Lifeboats News Release

A request was received from Falmouth Coastguard at 1044hrs this morning to go to the assistance of a 34 foot sailing vessel, with two people on board with engine failure 3nm (west south west) of Mullion Cove.

RNLI/The Lizard RNLI

Our Smaller Y-Boat assessing the scene
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Our crew were paged at 1046hrs and RNLB Rose launched on service at 1100hrs. In the meantime Falmouth Coastguard had lost contact with the vessel via VHF radio, making locating the vessel difficult for the lifeboat. Thankfully following communications with other vessels in the area the yacht was located and RNLB Rose arrived on scene at 1121hrs. The yachts occupants initially believed that they had run out of fuel so after fuel was put in to the vessel and the engine started, the suggestion was made to sail to Newlyn and use engine power to enter the harbour.

However it was then ascertained that the vessel had actually lost its prop and as only one person on board felt competent enough to go under sail, a decision was made to tow the vessel into Newlyn Harbour.

Under the command of Coxswain Dan Atkinson, the smaller Y-boat launched and a member of our crew went aboard the yacht to assist with steering. A towline was attached and the casualty vessel was safely towed to Newlyn arriving at 1348hrs. At 1354hrs the yacht was put on to a secure mooring and at 1400hrs RNLB Rose departed Newlyn arriving back at the lifeboat station at 1500hrs. The lifeboat was then re-housed, refuelled and made ready for service at 1545hrs.

RNLI/The Lizard RNLI

The Vessel Under Tow
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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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About the author

Lyndsay Bray
Lifeboat Press Officer, The Lizard Lifeboat Station

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