ALB launches to a 40 foot cutter, 19 NM out to sea

The pagers alerted the crew at 4:18pm and the all-weather lifeboat (ALB) launched at 4:38pm. It began heading out across the English Channel in a southerly direction in search of the casualty vessel. Having tracked the effect of the tide which had caused the yacht, a 40 foot cutter, to move some 6NM from its original position, the ALB was on scene at 5:20pm.

A crew member was put on board to asses the situation and remained with the yacht's crew as the ALB connected a tow line and began the journey to Poole harbour. In good conditions, a little over three hours later the ALB positioned the yacht alongside a pontoon in Poole Quay Boat Haven. Following a check that both of the people on the yacht were safe and well, the ALB was stood down from the task at 9:19pm and was back on its slipway at 10:05pm.

The volunteer crew were able to head home and watch the rest of the football!

ALB Crew: (Coxn) Dave Turnbull, Robert Aggas, Gavin Steeden, Neil Brooks, Ben Bamber, Julian Vass
Shore Crew: (Head Launcher) Paul Meacham, (Winch) Gary Buglass, Matthew Steeden, Fergus Holley

RNLI Media Contacts

Becky Mack, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI South East, [email protected]

Stella Sims, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for London and South East England, 07483 316675, [email protected]

Sam Haddad, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for London and South East England, 01202 137713, [email protected]

Julie Rainey, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for London and South East England, 07827 358256, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

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.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

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