Mudeford RNLI rescues stranded cruiser

The casualties made contact with the Coastguard to say that they were struggling to raise their anchor. With darkness approaching, the Coastguard tasked the Mudeford RNLI to help.

The lifeboat Mudeford Servant launched at 9.55 pm and arrived on scene at 9.59pm. Talking to the casualties, the lifeboat established that the electric windlass for the anchor had tripped out as the casualties tried to recover the fouled anchor.

The lifeboat lassoed a rope around the anchor chain to chase it out. After several attempts the lifeboat successfully released the anchor from the seabed. During this time the casualties managed to reset the windlass and then recover the freed anchor. The motor cruiser then continued on to Christchurch Quay. The lifeboat returned to station at 10.09pm.

Volunteer Helm, Andy Read said, “This was a successful outcome to what was a potentially hazardous situation. On the water, with the light fading, situations can very quickly deteriorate. Always raise the alarm early to avoid putting yourself at further risk of harm.”

This was the 36^th launch for the Mudeford Lifeboat this year.

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.

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