
Yarmouth RNLI tasked to two shouts in one afternoon
Thursday 19 December proved a busy day for Yarmouth RNLI and its volunteer crew as the pagers sounded twice in a matter of hours after being tasked by HM Coastguard.
The first shout commenced just after 1:30pm where HM Coastguard was alerted by members of the public of a potential person in the water near Hurst Castle. Yarmouth's current relief all-weather lifeboat 17-45 ‘Duke of Kent’ launched from Yarmouth Harbour and quickly made passage to the given location and deployed their smaller Y-boat to search the area between Hurst Castle and the ferry pontoon at Keyhaven Harbour.
After several discussions between the crew and the Lymington Coastguard Rescue Team, it was established that there was no cause for concern and Yarmouth RNLI was stood down shortly after 3pm.
Yarmouth RNLI returned to their berth and was marked as ready for service at 3:15pm.
Two hours later, at 5:15pm and just before the RNLI volunteer crew at Yarmouth were about to begin their routine weekly exercise, HM Coastguard tasked Yarmouth to a 32ft yacht that had lost power and was unable to anchor in Osbourne Bay near East Cowes with a lone sailor onboard.
Yarmouth RNLI made best speed to the last known location of the sailor and once one scene, established a tow to the sailing vessel and then escorted them to Cowes where they then handed over to the Coastguard Rescue Team.
Yarmouth RNLI began their return passage back to Yarmouth, and after their routine shore side checks were completed, were marked as returning to service at 7:45pm.
If you’re interested in a volunteering opportunity at Yarmouth Lifeboat Station, please email [email protected]
Notes to editors
- Yarmouth RNLI Lifeboat 17-25 'Eric and Susan Hiscock - (Wanderer) is currently undergoing extended planned maintenance at RNLI Poole. Relief Severn Class Lifeboat 17-45 'Duke of Kent' is currently on service at Yarmouth.
- Photos taken during a previous exercise - Y boat deployment with crew members Joanne and Paul.
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.
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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.