
Yarmouth RNLI tasked to de-masted yacht.
On Thursday 8th August, Yarmouth RNLI was tasked by HM Coastguard to the reports of a yacht whose mast had unfortunately broken whilst out at sea six nautical miles south west of the Needles Lighthouse.
Pagers sounded for the RNLI volunteer crews just after 1:20pm and within 15 minutes, Yarmouth’s All-weather Severn Class lifeboat launched from their berth at Yarmouth Harbour and made passage through the mist and rain to the locate the 42ft yacht and her crew of three.
Even though the visibility was poor, shortly after 2pm the RNLI lifeboat was promptly alongside the casualty vessel, and two of the volunteer crew were transferred onto the yacht. The decision was made to clear the yacht of its broken mast and once complete, the casualty vessel’s crew were able to manoeuvre using their own power.
Having assessed the situation and ensured that all three persons on board were safe, Yarmouth Lifeboat then escorted the casualty vessel back towards Yarmouth at 2:45pm.
Once the post recovery checks were made, Yarmouth Lifeboat was marked ready for service at 5pm.
Notes to editors
- Photo attached- 17-25 Yarmouth lifeboat in rough conditions taken by Nigel Millard.
- 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.
- As well as 2024 being the year the RNLI celebrates its 200th year, it will also be Yarmouth Station's 100th year in service.
RNLI contact details:
● Hebe Gregory, Yarmouth RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer [email protected]
● Hatti Mellor, Regional Communications Manager (South East & London) [email protected]
● Julie Rainey, Regional Communications Lead (South East) [email protected]
For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
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.
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.