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Aldeburgh RNLI Atlantic 85 tasked to yacht in distress

Lifeboats News Release

On Saturday 18 July at 3.10pm, Aldeburgh RNLI were tasked by HM Coastguard to a 5m yacht with a broken mast, in the river, approximately 1.5km south of the Aldeburgh Yacht Club.

RNLI Aldeburgh launching their D-Class Susan Scott into the river Alde and Ore at Aldeburgh Yacht Club, by Lizzie Clark

RNLI/Lizzie Clark

RNLI Aldeburgh launching their D-Class Susan Scott into the river Alde and Ore at Aldeburgh Yacht Club, by Lizzie Clark
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The volunteer lifeboat crew were paged at 3.14pm and the D class inshore lifeboat, Susan Scott, was launched into the River Alde and Ore at 3.40pm. The crew were on scene at 3.46pm, and confirmed that five people were on a 5m yacht with a broken mast. The yacht had been drifting towards the reeds at the side of the river when they alerted the Coastguard, but had since gained control of the boat. The lifeboat escorted the yacht to the nearest point of safety, Aldeburgh Yacht Club.

The D class lifeboat, Susan Scott, returned to station, was washed down, refuelled and back on service by 4.41pm.

It was the 'first shout' for Aldeburgh RNLI crew member Alex, who started volunteering 10 months ago. He had recently passed the Crew Emergency Procedures course at RNLI Headquarters in Poole and, on Thursday 16 July, been formally recognised as 'safe to go on service'.

Notes to Editors
Aldeburgh Lifeboat Station has been operating since 1826 and has been part of the RNLI since 1852. Since formation, their lifeboats have launched 1,267 times and saved 693 lives.

Aldeburgh Lifeboat Station has two boats on service: B class Atlantic 85, Ralph, and D class inshore lifeboat, Susan Scott.



RNLI Aldeburgh launching their D-Class Susan Scott into the river Alde and Ore at Aldeburgh Yacht Club, by Lizzie Clark

RNLI/Lizzie Clark

RNLI Aldeburgh launching their D-Class Susan Scott into the river Alde and Ore at Aldeburgh Yacht Club, by Lizzie Clark
Download image
RNLI Aldeburgh launching their D-Class Susan Scott into the river Alde and Ore at Aldeburgh Yacht Club, by Lizzie Clark

RNLI/Lizzie Clark

RNLI Aldeburgh launching their D-Class Susan Scott into the river Alde and Ore at Aldeburgh Yacht Club, by Lizzie Clark
Download image

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Jo Litt, RNLI Aldeburgh Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected]

Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for North East and East England, 07824 518641, [email protected]

Richard Grange, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for North East and East England, 07483 112015, [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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

About the author

Jo Litt
Lifeboat Press Officer, Aldeburgh

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