Donate now

Drifting yacht towed to safety by the Sheerness RNLI inshore lifeboat

Lifeboats News Release

A 23 foot yacht with two people onboard was towed to safety after drifting onto rocks on the Isle of Sheppey.

The Sheerness inshore lifeboat 'Buster' with a 23 foot yacht in tow that had been pulled off rocks at Garrison Point, Sheerness.

RNLI/Vic Booth

D799 'Buster' with the casualty craft in tow.
The volunteer crew of the Sheerness inshore lifeboat ‘Buster’ launched at 5.15pm on Saturday 15 July followed closely by the all-weather lifeboat ‘Judith Copping Joyce’ after a call from the UK Coastguard to assist a 23-foot yacht, with two people onboard, in difficulties and reported to be on the rocks at Garrison Point.
Making best speed in poor conditions the ILB was first on the scene and located the casualty at 5. 25pm.a towline was secured and the vessel was in tow and away from the rocks five minutes later.
With the inshore lifeboat managing the tow ok the ALB stood off and escorted both into lower Camber in Sheerness docks where the casualty craft was made secure at 6.05pm.
The two people on the yacht reported they were ok and were taken ashore.
They had set sail from Lower Halstow earlier in the day and were making their way back when despite their best efforts, the strong winds blew them off course and towards the rocks.
Both lifeboats were ready for service again at 6.30pm.
Wind SW force 8 with clear skies and moderate sea.

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