Yarmouth RNLI crews paged to assist yacht with engine failure at Milford on Sea
Yarmouth RNLI volunteers were called to assist a sailing yacht which had undergone engine failure one nautical mile south of Milford on Sea and perform a casualty care assessment on one of the crew onboard.
HM Coastguard tasked Yarmouth Lifeboat 17-25 Eric and Susan Hiscock (Wanderer) at 2.38pm on Thursday 6 July and her crew promptly left their berth in Yarmouth Harbour.
The call was to a 32ft sailing vessel whose crew had put out a pan-pan* signal when their vessel had suddenly experienced machinery failure.
Along with this, one of the two people on board had also become unwell and required medical assistance.
The RNLI lifeboat arrived on scene just ten minutes after launch and the crew began their assessment of the situation.
It was established that the best decision would be to tow the casualty vessel back to Yarmouth where its crew would be able carry out the maintenance necessary to ensure a safe passage once all issues had been rectified.
Prior to the lifeboat towing the casualty back to Yarmouth, an RNLI crewman was put onboard to carry out an initial casualty care assessment. The RNLI volunteer then stayed with the casualty whilst the RNLI all-weather lifeboat towed the casualty vessel and monitored their symptoms throughout the passage back into the harbour.
During the towing, the owner of the vessel was able to carry out the essential works to fix the engine and were able to then make their own way into a mooring under their own power without lifeboat assistance. It was also noted that the unwell passenger recovered well during this time, and no further medical assistance was required once back in Yarmouth.
Yarmouth lifeboat was then marked as ready for service at 4.15pm.
Yacht sailing and motor-boating is an adventure for all whether you are racing, or cruising, however even on the shortest trips, crews can be caught out.
The RNLI has put together an extensive source of advice and safety messages to ensure you are prepared and ready for all outings at sea. These can be found at http://rnli.org/.../choose.../yacht-sailing-and-motorboating .
When out at sea, it is always important to carry means of communication with you. So, like in this case, you can call for help. The coastguard is contactable on VHF radio channel 16 or by calling 999 / 112.
Notes to editors:
· *Pan pan – is a call out for urgent help, but not life threatening.
· Photos attached include the towing of the vessel taken by Yarmouth RNLI volunteer Tom Blackburn taken from Fort Victoria.
· Video clip attached is of the Lifeboat leaving Yarmouth and heading to the casualty filmed by Josh McGregor.
- Yarmouth RNLI Lifeboat 17-25 Eric and Susan Hiscock ‘Wanderer’ came into service in 2001, prior to that Yarmouth RNLI had an Arun Class Lifeboat 52-08 Joy and John Wade which was in service for 23 years.
· Yarmouth RNLI will always travel to where help is required, but normally cover the areas around the Isle of Wight from Cowes to St Catherine’s point, then anything around the coastline to Poole Bay and mid channel.
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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 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.
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 142,700 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.