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RNLI Lerwick Lifeboat assists yacht with steering problems to berth

Lifeboats News Release

Lerwick Lifeboat crew launched this evening to assist a nearby 14-metre yacht with steering problems onto a safe berth.

RNLI

Relief Severn-class lifeboat - 'RNLB Beth Sell'. Credit: RNLI Lerwick
The French-registered vessel with three adults on board had made its way from Bergen earlier in the day but discovered steering problems as they approached Lerwick harbour. The 10-metre long ‘Excalibur’, a local inshore fishing vessel, responded to the radio call for assistance, taking the yacht under tow near the Knab and brought the vessel almost to Victoria Pier.

At the request of HM Coastguard, Lerwick lifeboat launched just after 8.10pm and took over the tow, to bring the yacht alongside a pontoon on Victoria Pier within fifteen minutes.

Sea conditions were moderate, although more sheltered in the harbour, with north westerly winds Force 4-5, and an air temperature of around 9 degrees Celsius.

Stephen Manson, Coxswain said: “This was a straightforward task for us and we were pleased to be able to help, making sure that this visiting yacht and it’s crew are safely alongside for repairs. Our thanks to the skipper of the local vessel who took up the initial tow, to bring the yacht close to Victoria Pier.”



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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