Both Whitby RNLI lifeboats on shout to vessel with steering failure.
Both Whitby RNLI lifeboats on shout to vessel with steering failure.
Lifeboats News Release
The casualty on board made a mayday call on the radio yesterday afternoon (Friday 6 October.)
The five meter RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) was making its way to the harbour when conditions worsened and the boat lost steering.
The casualty immediately raised the alarm via a Mayday call via the on board radio.
Whitby RNLI launched both their all-weather Shannon class lifeboat, which was on its second ever shout, and their D class inshore lifeboat.
They located the casualty about a mile North of Saltwick.
A tow was established and despite the conditions steadily getting worse with strong winds, they were able to tow the boat to the safety of Whitby harbour.
The crew aboard the inshore lifeboat undertook the tow while the all-weather lifeboat escorted the pair of boats into harbour, remaining on standby until the RIB was safely alongside.
Adam Wright, helm on the inshore lifeboat said: 'If the person hadn't had a radio on board, this situation could have ended very differently. The wind was picking up all the time and they would have been blown miles of course with no way of getting back to safety. We would urge all boat owners to carry a VHF radio as you never know when you might need to use it.'
For more information contact Lifeboat Press Officer Ceri Oakes on 07813359428 or at [email protected]
RNLI
A still from a crew members headcam during the shout
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.