Three taskings in three hours for Yarmouth RNLI

The first page came in just after 2pm by HM Coastguard to assist an ocean rowing boat in distress off Brook Beach. The all-weather lifeboat launched and made passage to the last known location through the up to 2.5metre swells and arrived on scene to find the rowing boat under tow by a nearby 22ft day boat.

A decision was made to transfer the casualties off the rowing boat, onto Freshwater Lifeboat who was also in attendance providing safety cover, to transfer the casualties onto Yarmouth Lifeboat. However, before this decision was implemented, the rowing boat capsized and the three casualties entered the water. Freshwater Lifeboat quickly recovered all three from the water and an agreement was made to instead transfer them to Freshwater Bay instead of onto Yarmouth Lifeboat.

Whilst afloat in the area, an hour after their initial launch, it then came to light that the vessel that had been towing the rowing boat had lost their steering, and due to the locational risks and the risks related to the vessel’s condition, the best course of action for all involved in this instance was to manoeuvre alongside the vessel, and establish a tow and safely make passage back to Yarmouth Harbour.

Whilst recovering this vessel to Yarmouth, when passing Alum Bay at 4:45pm, a third tasking came through requesting assistance to a 30ft sailing yacht which had fouled it’s anchor.

After the day boat had safely arrived at Yarmouth Harbour, Yarmouth Lifeboat made best speed back to Alum Bay to assist the Sailing Yacht. Two of Yarmouth RNLI’s volunteer crew were transferred across onto the casualty vessel.

The anchor was freed, and the casualty vessel motored back towards Yarmouth, with the all-weather lifeboat alongside ensuring the passage was successful.

After a busy few hours, Yarmouth Lifeboat returned to her berth, the crew completed their post recovery checks and was marked as ready for service just before 6pm.

This busy day was also the first shift for newly passed out Launch Authority, Kev!

Kev said: ‘It’s been great getting involved again after having my knee operated on. I was previously enrolled as seagoing crew, so was already aware of aspects of what was required within the launch authority role, but all the training I received from the RNLI really helped with understanding the further administration of it all. It was a pretty thrilling first day!’

Notes to editors

• Images include 17-25 Eric and Susan Hiscock (Wanderer) near the Needles Lighthouse.

• Yarmouth RNLI Lifeboat 17-25 Eric and Susan Hiscock (Wanderer) came into service in 2001, prior to that Yarmouth RNLI had an Arun Class Lifeboat 52-08 Joy and John Wade which was in service for 23 years.

• May 2026 marked Yarmouth Station's 102nd year in service.

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For further information, please contact:

Hebe Gregory-Pimm, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI South East, [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]

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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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