
Yarmouth RNLI launched to reports of a motorboat on fire
Yarmouth RNLI Lifeboat 17-25 'Eric and Susan Hiscock ‘Wanderer’ was launched on Monday 29 May at 8:57pm following a Mayday call from a motorboat on fire.
Those on board the motorboat, which was located between Hurst Castle and Fort Albert, had raised the alarm with HM Coastguard, reporting that there was a fire in the engine compartment.
Yarmouth’s RNLI volunteer crew made good speed from their berth in Yarmouth Harbour to the casualty vessel. Once on scene it was established the fire had already been extinguished and the owner of the casualty vessel had come alongside in a RIB and helped the crew of six evacuate from the motorboat.
The owner then boarded the motorboat, and a decision was made that a Yarmouth RNLI crew member would join them to assess the situation.
With agreement from all that the fire has been fully extinguished, and with the starboard engine still fully functioning, Yarmouth RNLI Lifeboat 17-25 Eric and Susan Hiscock ‘Wanderer’ escorted the motorboat back into Yarmouth where they were then placed and secured to an outer mooring.
The lifeboat then brought the owner ashore to make arrangements for the motorboat to be assessed the next morning.
Richard Pimm, Yarmouth RNLI’s full-time mechanic said:
‘The crew onboard had all necessary safety means and equipment for extinguishing the fire, which helped prevent the spread. When out at sea on vessels that are powered by engines, it is always worth having these items readily available as well as life jackets and forms of communication, which they also had, so that a call for help can be made’
The lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service at 9:38pm.
If you find yourself in difficulty, or you see anyone in difficulty in the water, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
Notes to editors
● Attached are photographs of Yarmouth RNLI Lifeboat 17-25 Eric and Susan Hiscock ‘Wanderer’ returning from the shout into Yarmouth Harbour - Taken by Hebe Gregory Trainee Lifeboat Press Officer
● Yarmouth Station opened in 1924, then moved location in 1994 and most recently was refurbished in 2023.
● Yarmouth RNLI Lifeboat 17-25 Eric and Susan Hiscock ‘Wanderer’ came into service in 2001, prior to that Yarmouth RNLI had an Arun Class Lifeboat 52-08 Joy and John Wade which was in service for 23 years.
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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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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.
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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