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One person rescued during recent Aldeburgh RNLI launch

Lifeboats News Release

RNLI Aldeburgh relief all-weather lifeboat (ALB), the ‘Keep Fit Association’ was launched on Saturday 1 April, at approximately 8pm, following a Mayday call, to a report of a 26-foot yacht with a broken rudder and that was drifting.

After assessing the situation and due to the wind and state of the sea, it was deemed too dangerous to put lifeboat crew onto the casualty boat to attach a towline. It was therefore decided, after discussions with the casualty crewman, to abandon the yacht and to take them off for their own safety.

The ALB returned to station at 10.35pm, with the casualty, who was well and not requiring any medical attention.

The RNLI assessment team confirmed one person was rescued during the operation, which was undertaken in challenging conditions of force six winds, with a three metre swell. The casualty was in grave danger, however a large supply vessel had diverted, having heard the Mayday call, and was providing some cover from the winds by keeping the yacht in its lee, until the lifeboat arrived.

RNLI Assessing Officer noted that it was a: 'Good rescue...with some brilliant decision making by the coxswain in challenging conditions in not taking the yacht under tow.'

RNLI Media contacts

For more information, please contact Jo Litt, RNLI volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer: [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

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

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