Donate now

Eyemouth RNLI lifeboat tows yacht drifting in heavy fog

Lifeboats News Release

Eyemouth RNLI volunteers were called out to assist a stricken yacht on Wednesday 26 June 2024 after the boat had engine failure.

Eyemouth lifeboat 'Helen hastings' tows yacht 'Flamingo' after engine failure. The weather is heavy fog with a moderate swell.

Belinda Smith

Eyemouth lifeboat 'Helen Hastings' tows the casualty yacht 'Flamingo'

The two crew onboard were heading towards Eyemouth harbour on Wednesday 26 June 2024 when the engine overheated. Unable to sail due to lack of wind, when the engine failed the yacht then began drifting in the heavy fog.

Eyemouth's all-weather lifeboat ‘Helen Hastings’ was quickly launched, and after locating the boat was able to tow her safely into Eyemouth harbour.

Eyemouth coxswain, Andrew Jamieson said, ‘these were experienced sailors, anyone can get into trouble at sea. They did the right thing, remaining calm and calling the Coastguard for assistance as soon as they knew there was a problem.’

The lifeboat was stood down and made ready for service.

The RNLI website has safety tips at https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity/yacht-sailing-and-motorboating#


Notes to editors

Eyemouth lifeboat station has been operating since 1876. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/eyemouth-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts

Wendy Lorimer, Lifeboat Press Officer, 07946650114, [email protected]

Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789



Eyemouth lifeboat 'Helen hastings' tows yacht 'Flamingo' after engine failure. The weather is heavy fog with a moderate swell.

Belinda Smith

Eyemouth lifeboat 'Helen Hastings' tows the casualty yacht 'Flamingo'
Eyemouth Shannon class all-weather lifeboat tows casualty yacht 'Flamingo' into Eyemouth harbour

RNLI/Eyemouth

Eyemouth lifeboat tows casualty yacht into the harbour

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