Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat crew rescue lone yachtsman with engine failure

The crew launched their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Spirit of Loch Fyne at 11:55am and, in good sea conditions, reached the casualty vessel 25 minutes later. The yachtsman, Tony Marks, was found to be fit and well but unable to restart the engine of his 10m motor sailer Tinkerbell. Tony said: 'I was making steady progress towards Plymouth and had just passed Portland Bill when my diesel engine began to play up and eventually stopped leaving me stranded. I called the Coastguard for assistance and was very relieved when the RNLI turned up. The crew were great, very helpful and understanding.'

Volunteer Helm Brian Street assessed the situation and concluded that the safest course of action was to tow the yacht to West Bay harbour. One of the lifeboat crew went onboard the yacht to set up the tow and to assist Tony and his dog Skye. In summing up the rescue Brian Street said: ‘Once we were alerted by the Coastguard we quickly located Tony aboard his yacht Tinkerbell. It was clear that he needed to be taken to a place of safety, so I took the decision to tow him to West Bay. My crew set up and managed the towing line, and we arrived in harbour 90 minutes later.’

Once Tinkerbell was safely moored in West Bay the lifeboat returned to Lyme Regis where it was washed down and refuelled by volunteer shore crew in preparation for its next service.

The was the 36th service call for the Lyme Regis RNLI volunteers this year.

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Notes to editors

• Phot 1. Lyme Regis RNLI Atlantic 85 Spirit of Loch Fyne approaches the stricken yacht Tinkerbell. Credit: RNLI/Nick Marks

• Phot 2. RNLI volunteer Cris Cadby on board the casualty yacht. Credit: RNLI/Nick Marks

• Phot 3. Lyme Regis RNLI Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Spirit of Loch Fyne at sea Credit: RNLI/Nick Marks.