Yarmouth’s Severn class all weather lifeboat, ‘Eric and Susan Hiscock (Wanderer)’, was tasked to launch by HM Coastguard on Tuesday 7 June 2022 at 2.08pm to a 48ft motor yacht.
RNLI/Teresa Fox
Yarmouth RNLI Lifeboat with motor yacht Estrallita alongside
Yarmouth RNLI’s volunteer crew headed west out of the Solent towards Christchurch Bay where a boat, with two persons on board, was suffering from steering failure. On arrival at the location, the RNLI crew realized that it was no ordinary casualty but a historic vessel.
Built in 1934 – the motor cruiser ‘Estrallita’ was struggling with a 15 – 18 knot southwesterly wind and moderate to slight sea conditions. Her crew, two experienced, ex Royal Navy personnel had tried to keep the boat steady by using her engines until help arrived.
Once on scene,Yarmouth RNLI’s coxswain assessed the situation and made the decision that undertaking a tow was necessary and the safest way to assist the vessel. Prior to entering Yarmouth harbour, an alongside tow was established in order to safely manoeuvre the yacht into a berth.
The 87 year old Dunkirk little ship - ‘Estrallita’ and her crew were on a charitable fundraising journey. Having set off from Norfolk in mid May they have travelled along the south coast raising money for SSAFA and the Jenny Lind Children’s Hospital. They are hoping to be able to make the repairs to their well-maintained vessel in time to be able to continue with their journey, aiming to reach St Katherine Docks, London on 17th June 2022.
Yarmouth RNLI lifeboat returned to her berth and was ready for service at 5.15pm.
The RNLI remains an independent charity that relies on voluntary contributions to fund its lifesaving work.
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.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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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.
