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St Bees RNLI called to yacht in distress

Lifeboats News Release

Late on Friday 5 July at 9.30pm, St Bees RNLI were alerted by HM Coastguard that a yacht with a crew of 4 had suffered engine failure whilst sailing from Ramsay to Whitehaven and was struggling to make way under sail.

RNLI/Joseph Raymond

St Bees Lifeboat crew establish an astern tow on the yacht

With the yacht struggling to make way and averaging a speed of 2 knots, the crew of the yacht requested assistance from the Coastguard. Without engine power the yacht would be unable to enter the sea lock at the harbour. St Bees RNLI crew were subsequently paged at 10.50pm. The lifeboat was launched and was enroute to the casualty vessel by 11.00pm.

By 11.40pm the lifeboat crew reached the yacht and made contact with its crew. Due to the rising tide the lifeboat helm conducted a dynamic risk assessment and concluded that in order to mitigate risk of harm to the yacht’s crew and potentially to other vessels, and the fact the yacht was struggling to make way under sail, the yacht would be taken under tow to the safety of Whitehaven Harbour.

The yacht was then taken under tow and was brought to Whitehaven Harbour where it was then securely moored with assistance from Whitehaven Coastguard Rescue Team.

Dick Beddows, Lifeboat Operations Manager for St Bees RNLI Lifeboat, says:

‘We're grateful that the yacht's crew recognised that they were in danger and alerted the Coastguard at the earliest opportunity before the situation could potentially worsen. If you do get into difficulty when out on the water, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard’.

The lifeboat was then returned to the station at 02.00am to be made ready for next service by 02.30am.

Notes to editors

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact, Joe Raymond RNLI volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07912040216 or [email protected].

Alternatively you can contact Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, Regional Communications Manager on [email protected], or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

RNLI/Joseph Raymond

St Bees RNLI preparing to launch

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.

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