Margate RNLI assists two sailors in night time yacht grounding drama
Margate RNLI assists two sailors in night time yacht grounding drama
Lifeboats News Release
Margate RNLI assists in rescue of two sailors in night time yacht grounding drama Margate RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crew, along with other local rescue agencies have been involved in the rescue of two sailors whose yacht ran aground on the sewer outfall pipe at Foreness Point, east of of Margate.
HM Coastguard received a Mayday distress call around 10pm last night (Saturday 25 October) from an 8m long yacht with two persons on board reporting they had run aground on the easterly sewer outfall pipe at Foreness Point around two miles east of Margate and required immediate assistance.
Weather conditions at the time were not ideal with a fresh WNW wind force 6, moderate visibility and a moderate sea, it was approaching low water.
Margate RNLI’s B class inshore lifeboat along with Margate Coastguard Rescue Team and the coastguard helicopter from Lydd Airport were tasked to assist and the lifeboat was quickly on scene where an assessment could be made of the situation.
The lifeboat was unable to approach the yacht which was heeling over in shallow water, and with no immediate possibility of refloating the vessel preservation of life was the priority and the yacht’s crew were advised to abandon the vessel.
Members of the coastguard rescue team however were able to approach the vessel directly from the outfall pipe and managed to evacuate the two crew members directly to shore. They were reported to be none the worse for wear following their adventure.
The yacht subsequently refloated itself on the rising tide and after drifting to a position off Broadstairs and considered a hazard to navigation was recovered by Ramsgate RNLI’s B class inshore lifeboat and towed to Ramsgate harbour.
Christian Wright, Launch Authority, Margate RNLI said: “The yacht’s crew done the correct thing in declaring a Mayday situation, few vessels survive running aground on the outfall at Foreness Point and luckily the skills of the coastguard team assured they survived and can hopefully return to their vessel”
· Peter Barker, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07974 064304 or [email protected]
· Hatti Mellor, Regional Communications Manager on 07724 801305 or [email protected]
· RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.
