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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

RNLI

A still from a crew members headcam during the shout

RNLI/Ceri Oakes

A still from a crew members headcam during the shout

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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For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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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