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Fleetwood RNLI launches to assist yachtsman

Lifeboats News Release

Fleetwood RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat launched on Tuesday (27 June) to assist a yachtsman with engine difficulties..

Lifeboat on the water, towing a small white yacht

RNLI/David Eccles

Fleetwood all-wather lifeboat towing stranded yacht

The owner of the yacht reported a loss of engine power 10 nautical miles northwest of Wyre Light. and Fleetwood’s all-weather lifeboat, Kenneth James Pierpoint was launched from Fleetwood at 11:25am to provide assistance. Upon reaching the yacht, the coxswain carried out a risk assessment and decided to escort the yacht to the Fleetwood Channel under sail power. The lifeboat then provided a tow up the Channel to allow mooring at the Lifeboat Station’s buoy.

Once in a safe location the yachtsman was able to make repairs and proceeded to Fleetwood Marina.

Captain David Eccles, Lifeboat Operations Manager for Fleetwood said:

'Foresight and preparedness are key qualities in a mariner, and these allowed the yachtsman to call for assistance in a timely manner. As a result, Fleetwood's volunteer crew were able to assist him before the issues he was experiencing became a danger either to his own vessel or others on the water.'

Notes to editors

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

· 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] Danielle Rush, RNLI Regional Media Manager, West, on 07786 668829/ [email protected] . Or, Claire Elshaw, RNLI Regional Media Officer West, on 07468 353082 / [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.

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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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