Donate now

Early Morning Call Out to Stricken Yacht

Lifeboats News Release

Dunbar’s RNLI volunteers had an early alarm call this morning (Saturday, April 29) when they were paged at 3am to a yacht stranded without power.

Photo shows Dunbar's all-weather Trent lifeboat towing a 23ft yacht into Dunbar Harbour at 5am.

RNLI/Douglas Wight

Dunbar's ALB tows the 23ft yacht into the harbour.

The solo yachtsman was on passage from Port Edgar marina, South Queensferry, to Dorset and was attempting to reach Eyemouth when he suffered engine failure at about 2am. Although he tried to restart the engine, the increasing swell made conditions difficult and he called the coastguard for help.

Dunbar’s all-weather lifeboat (ALB) John Neville Taylor launched at 3.36am and was on scene 15 minutes later. After assessing all available options, coxswain Gary Fairbairn decided the best course of action was to tow the 23ft vessel to Dunbar Harbour. A tow was set up and the crew were underway at 4.10am, reaching Dunbar at 5.05am, where the yacht was safely berthed.

Coxswain Gary said the casualty did the right thing by calling for assistance, but the incident highlighted the dangers of sailing at night in commercial shipping lanes – and the importance of being seen at sea in the hours of darkness. He said: “Drifting in an area busy with ships coming in and out of the Forth could have been dangerous. It was a small vessel and not easily seen in those conditions.”

The ALB was back at Torness and refuelled and ready for service at 7am.

ends

Notes to editors

Photos available. (Credit: Dunbar RNLI)

RNLI media contacts

Douglas Wight, Dunbar RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer [email protected]

Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789

RNLI online

For more information on the RNLI please visit rnli.org. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre rnli.org/news-and-media.

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 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 142,200 lives.

Photo shows Dunbar's all-weather Trent lifeboat alongside the casualty vessel yacht in Dunbar Harbour as they are about to berth.

RNLI/Douglas Wight

Dunbar's RNLI volunteers bring the yacht alongside for berthing.

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, Twitter 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.

Categories