RNLI Lerwick Lifeboat aids Dutch yacht after dismasting

The yacht, with six persons on board, had left Lerwick yesterday afternoon (Friday) heading south east across the North Sea. Early this morning, the mast had snapped leaving the vessel unable to make good progress at sea and the yacht skipper had contacted HM Coastguard to ask for assistance.

Lerwick Lifeboat crew were paged at 3.36am and had launched the lifeboat by 4am. Making good speed in calm seas the lifeboat crew reached the stricken vessel just after 5am, around the time of sunrise. Two lifeboat crew were put aboard the stricken vessel to assist the crew of the yacht to secure the broken mast, and to cut loose rigging and sails.

Once the vessel was made safe, the skipper of the yacht began the return voyage to Lerwick harbour under engine power, with the lifeboat standing by to provide an escort. The two lifeboat crew stayed aboard the yacht in case any further assistance was needed.

The lifeboat and yacht made steady progress at around five to six knots, reaching Lerwick harbour just before 1pm. The yacht berthed safely on a pontoon at Victoria Pier and the lifeboat was then refuelled and made ready for her next service.

Winds were westerly to south westerly, light breeze F2-3, with an air temperature of around 11 degrees Celsius.

Stephen Manson, Coxswain said: “Seeing the main mast fail must have been a difficult situation for the crew of this yacht to experience. They are fortunate that no one was injured and that the hull of the vessel appears largely undamaged. The skipper did the right thing by contacting the Coastguard when they needed assistance. We’re glad to see the crew safely in harbour now, to carry out repairs to their vessel before they set off again.”

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Bob Kerr, Lifeboat Press Officer, RNLI Lerwick, [email protected]

Richard Smith, 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, [email protected]

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