Dramatic yacht rescue for Lyme Regis and Exmouth RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews

The crew of Lyme Regis Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Spirit of Loch Fyne had just launched on a training exercise when at 3:20pm they were diverted by HM Coastguard to assist a 31ft sailing yacht which had suffered engine failure and a ripped sail in the vicinity of Beer Head, 8 miles to the west of Lyme Regis. The yacht had issued a PAN-PAN urgent distress radio call indicating that its crew was in danger of being driven onto the rocky shore by the strong south easterly wind.

Making best speed the volunteer crew arrived on scene at 3:47pm to find the yacht, with 3 people on board, only 50 metres off the shore and being battered by 2-3 metre waves. Rapidly assessing the situation, the RNLI crew decided that it was too hazardous to attempt take to take the 3 casualties off the yacht and decided to tow the yacht to safety. One of the lifeboat crew was transferred onto the casualty vessel to set up the tow which allowed Spirit of Loch Fyne to move the yacht into deeper water.

In view of the prevailing conditions, it was decided to make for a safe harbour to the west of Beer Head and to request assistance from Exmouth RNLI’s larger Shannon class all weather lifeboat 13-03 R&J Welburn. This arrived on scene as the Lyme Regis lifeboat and yacht were passing Sidmouth. Responsibility for towing was transferred to the larger, more capable lifeboat which then towed the yacht to the safety of Brixham harbour.

Lyme Regis RNLI volunteer Helm Murray Saunders said; ‘This was kind of shout which underlines the importance of regular training. My crew were brilliant and knew exactly what to do as the situation unfolded. The yacht’s crew also did the right thing by calling for help when they did. They were in a tricky position which would most likely have ended with their boat being wrecked on the shore. This shout also demonstrated great teamwork between RNLI volunteers at adjacent stations.’

The Lyme Regis crew returned to harbour at 5:50pm when the lifeboat was refuelled before continuing its training schedule. This was the fifth service call the Lyme Regis volunteers have answered this year.

Ends

Notes to editors