Donate now

Lymington Lifeboat launches to the aid of vessel adrift in Hurst Narrows

Lifeboats News Release

At 14.55 on Tuesday 20 August the Lymington Lifeboat crew received an immediate launch request from HM Coastguard to a 21ft motor vessel experiencing mechanical failure in the vicinity of the Hurst Narrows.

Lymington Lifeboat in action

RNLI/Joanna Styles

Lymington Lifeboat in action

Getting to the casualty vessel was time critical as it was drifting towards the shingle bank, with one person on board, on a spring ebbing tide and a strong westerly wind. The lifeboat made best speed to the position given by the Coastguard and located the casualty to the west in Christchurch Bay, tracking towards the bank and shallow water.

On arrival, the lifeboat crew found the motorboat broadside to the sea and the anchor that had been deployed was dragging, making the situation precarious. A lifeboat crew-member was transferred onboard to secure a tow in order to get the vessel out of danger as soon as possible.

The vessel and its owner were safely delivered back to Lymington, where they were met by the Coastguard Rescue Team.

Helmsman Phil Baker commented ‘This situation could have had a different outcome if the Lifeboat hadn’t taken the vessel out of danger. We remind all water users that lifejackets are useless unless worn.’

Crew: Phil Baker (Helm), James Douch, Greg Pachany, Alex Sheppard.

-

RNLI Contact details:

Jo Styles, Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer, Lymington Lifeboat Station (07725) 640871 Jo_Styles@rnli.org.uk

Hatti Mellor, Regional Communications Manager - SE & London (07724) 801305 hatti_mellor@rnli.org.uk

For enquiries outside normal business hours contact the RNLI duty press officer on (01202) 336789

RNLI online: For more information on the RNLI please visit http://www.rnli.org/. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre.


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.

Categories