
Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat crew tackle fire aboard 38ft yacht
The crew of Lyme Regis’ RNLI lifeboat last night (May 11th)went to the aid of a couple whose yacht caught fire 300m east of the town’s harbour.
The alarm was raised at 7.50pm when fire broke out in the electrical mechanism of the windlass which operates the yacht’s anchor.
The couple aboard the 38ft yacht, Charisma, Adam Bispham and his wife Lynne, from Weymouth, used fire extinguishers. Two lifeboat crew members also tackled the fire.
Mr Bispham said: “We were just lowering the anchor when the fire started. It could have been very serious. I am a member of the RNLI and this is the first time I have had to call them. We were delighted to see them.
“The lifeboat crew were fantastic and even lifted the anchor by hand and inflated our tender.”
Long-serving lifeboat volunteer Jon Broome said: “There was a good deal of smoke when we arrived on scene but the fire was soon under control. Mr and Mrs Bispham were pleased to see us and even made us a cup of tea with biscuits.
“After the incident we made sure they were safe and secure for their overnight stay.”
The lifeboat crew returned to Lyme Regis harbour after 90 minutes on scene.
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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