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Dual lifeboat launch as Fleetwood RNLI assists yacht in distress

Lifeboats News Release

Both of Fleetwood RNLI’s lifeboats were launched on Thursday 3 August to assist a yacht in distress.

RNLI/David Devereux

Fleetwood RNLI's inshore and all-weather lifeboat returning to station with the casualty yacht.

The owner of the yacht reported a loss of engine power 4 nautical miles west of the Danger Patch buoy. The charity’s all-weather lifeboat, Kenneth James Pierpoint was launched from Fleetwood at 3:30pm to provide assistance.

Upon reaching the yacht, the coxswain carried out a risk assessment and, in light of a 25 knot wind and three metre swells, decided to request assistance from the inshore lifeboat Harbet which was then launched at 4:00pm.

Once Harbet had reached the casualty vessel, the crews were able to put two RNLI crew members aboard the yacht to care for the casualty, set up a tow line and maintain safety aboard since the vessel was also taking on water.

The vessel was then brought back to safe harbour in Fleetwood at approximately 6:30pm, where the casualty was brought ashore to be assessed and then returned to his vessel ready to make repairs in the morning.

Captain David Eccles, Lifeboat Operations Manager, for Fleetwood said:

‘The flexibility we have at Fleetwood was particularly useful today, and being able to launch our inshore boat to support the all-weather boat meant we were able to help the casualty vessel faster and more safely than would otherwise have been the case. It's a great example of how the support we receive as a charity allows us to better achieve the RNLI's mission of saving lives at sea.’

Notes to editors

  • Fleetwood’s RNLI All-Weather Lifeboat is named KENNETH JAMES PIERPOINT and is a Shannon class boat.

  • Fleetwood’s RNLI Inshore Lifeboat is named HARBET and is a D-Class boat.

  • Photo credit: RNLI/ David Devereux
  • Fleetwood lifeboat station has been operating since 1859. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: http://fleetwoodlifeboat.org.uk/

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact David Devereux, Fleetwood RNLI Press Officer, on 07591 675733 / [email protected] or, Eleri Roberts, RNLI Regional Media Officer West on 07468 353082 / Eleri[email protected].

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.

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