Lowestoft RNLI Lifeboat tows yacht for six-hours in strong winds

The two sailors on the 42ft local yacht had been at sea twice as long as they expected as they returned to the UK from Den Helder in the Netherlands.

With 35 knot winds and a 2-3 metre sea swell the sailors ran into trouble when the rope from their mainsail became wrapped round the mast meaning the sail could not be raised.

With just a jib sail and a small engine to use, progress was painfully slow especially when sailing against the wind – so they called for help.

Lowestoft RNLI relief lifeboat Eric’s Legend was called at 11.57am. (Sunday 25 Aug) - when still at sea. The volunteer RNLI crew had just completed a two-hour exercise when they were tasked to help the stranded yacht.

Coxswain John Fox said “The location of the vessel, 33 nautical miles from Lowestoft, had been pinpointed by a coastguard aircraft that happened to be in the area."

“When we reached the yacht, the sailors were grateful to see us and told us that as well as the problem with the mainsail, they were also running low on fuel as their engine had been working overtime. We assessed the situation and decided the safest way to assist the sailors was to tow the yacht back to Lowestoft.”

“A lifeboatman was put aboard the yacht to help to rig the tow and he remained on board until the vessel was back in port. We could only safely tow at 4.5 – 6 knots so the voyage back to port took six hours meaning the crew had been at sea on the callout for over eight hours”

The yacht crew had expected their trip across the North Sea to take 24 hours where in fact it took twice as long as they finally moored in the RNSYC Marina at 8.45pm - where they were met by the Lowestoft Coastguard Rescue Team”

RNLI media contacts

Mick Howes, Lowestoft RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer
01502 562488 / 07814 468917 email [email protected]

Clare Hopps RNLI Regional Media Officer (North East & East), Tel 07824 518641 [email protected]

For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789. For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

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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 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 142,700 lives.

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