Yacht with engine trouble requires assistance after being becalmed
Swanage lifeboat was asked to locate and assist a small yacht after it put out a 'Pan Pan' urgency VHF message to Solent Coastguard reporting that it had engine trouble.
Just 12 minutes after launching, the yacht had been found using RADAR and VHF direction finding equipment. One of the lifeboat's crew was placed aboard to help set up a tow and 10 minutes later the 26' yacht was making steady progress towards Poole Harbour on a 100m tow behind the lifeboat.
The yacht and crew were based in Poole and had a mooring not far from Salterns marina, so at the start of the north channel the astern tow was evolved into an alongside tow and the two vessels made their final approach to the mooring.
When the yacht had been secured to its mooring the lifeboat volunteer returned to the lifeboat and departed the scene. Good progress was made on a lovely warm, sunny evening and the lifeboat was back on its slipway and washed down at about 8.00pm.
ALB Crew: (Coxn) Gavin Steeden, Dave Turnbull, Steve Williams, Darren Tomes, Ben Jarvis, Nigel Bower
Shore Crew: (Head Launcher) Gary Buglass, (Winchman) Luke Kill, Emily Condie, Jamie Trumper, Martha Tavinor
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Becky Mack, Swanage RNLI Volunteer Press Officer on 07812 558487 or at [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.