
Torbay RNLI assist yacht following May Day call, off Berry Head
Our voluntary crew launched the Severn Class All-weather Lifeboat (ALB) direct from page at 12:57pm on Saturday 6th May, in response to a May Day call from a 41-foot yacht taking part in a race from Torbay around the Skerries (off Slapton Sands) and back.
Our voluntary crew launched the Severn Class All-weather Lifeboat (ALB) direct from page at 12:57pm on Saturday 6th May, in response to a May Day from a 41-foot yacht taking part in a race from Torbay around the Skerries (off Slapton Sands) and back.
The race was already underway, with contending yachts beating into 20 knot south westerly winds and rolling seas, when the skipper realized there was a problem a mile southeast of Berry Head. Fortunately, all the six crew aboard were experienced sailors. All six were also wearing lifejackets.
Her skipper later informed us; ‘The first indication of trouble was the bow punching more deeply through the waves. But it wasn’t immediately obvious why. As soon as we pulled open the hatch however, it became clear she was taking on water. And fast. The level at that stage was already knee high. However, nobody could see where water was coming in from!’
The crew responded swiftly. Her skipper put out a May Day call, the crew slackened sail, hoved to, turned on the electric bilge pump, grabbed buckets and began bailing out manually. A search simultaneously began for source of the leak and crew discovered that an ‘unopenable’ forward window had entirely popped out back into the hull allowing waves of water to flood in. Cushions and plastic were stuffed into the gaping hole. The rising level of the water abated but the electric bilge pump cut out as the batteries flooded. The crew continued bailing manually but also prepared themselves in case they would have to abandon ship.
Our ALB arrived at 1:18pm.
James Hoare, Deputy Coxswain said; ‘It was a shock for the crew of the casualty yacht to discover a cabin full of water, but as experienced sailors, it didn’t take them long to spring into action and issue a May Day for fear of sinking. They all did a fantastic job of managing the situation and source of water ingress.
‘Once on the scene and with the yacht still under sail, we transferred a crew member aboard with our hand-held salvage pump to assess the situation. It quickly became clear the larger diesel pump was required.’
As a result, the level of water was reduced. So much so, that the casualty vessel was able to make her own way under sail back to Berry Head. Turning into the Bay however, meant facing wind and seas on the nose. James continued; ‘Once back inside of Torbay, sails were dropped, but with engines also under water, the vessel placed under tow back into the harbour where we helped the crew moor up to the town pontoon.
‘Thanks to the yacht crew’s quick thinking and their teamwork with our own crew, the end result was that no one came to harm and the boat was saved.’
Our All-weather Lifeboat was back at station and ready for service by 3:30pm.
Notes to editors
Photos - attached you’ll find some images from the shout, credited to crew, lifeboat camera, and comments from each Kilimanjaro climber Niall Blatcher for your use.
Video – you will also have a link to video shot from our All-weather Lifeboat camera and crew member’s head-cam
RNLI media contacts
For more information contact Niall Blatcher, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at Torbay RNLI, on 07734 114777 or [email protected] or Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Media Officer, on 07786 668847 or [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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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