Dungeness RNLI launches to yacht with no power near shipping lanes
In the early hours of Sunday 14 June, the volunteers of Dungeness RNLI launched the Shannon class lifeboat The Morrell to aid a yacht drifting in the English Channel.
The 20ft yacht was seen on radar in the vicinity of Littlestone bay and Dungeness and was drifting in circles towards one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.
The lifeboat launched at 2.05am and made best speed to the location, arriving at 2.31am.
Once on scene, the lifeboat made contact with the solo sailor who was very fatigued and a lifeboat crew member was put aboard the yacht.
It was established that the yacht’s engine had failed and the sails were unusable. The sailor was also unable to call for assistance as their VHF radio had failed.
Volunteer Coxswain, Mark Richardson, says:
'We carefully assessed whether establishing a tow was the best course of action to rescue the casualty. In the absence of a more suitable vessel and given the yacht’s condition and the risk of drifting into the shipping lane, it was determined that towing the yacht to Dover was the best course of action.’
The lifeboat towed the yacht to safety at Dover Marina, arriving at 5.40am then returned to station and was made ready for service at 7.00am.
If you are interested in volunteering at Dungeness RNLI, we have a number of opportunities available, no maritime experience needed. Contact [email protected] or 01797 320317 for more information.
Notes to Editors
· Dungeness lifeboat station has been running since 1826.
· The station received the first Shannon class lifeboat in the RNLI fleet – The Morrell
· The station is famous for its Lady Launchers, local women and wives of the crew who helped launch the lifeboat until 1977.
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RNLI Media Contacts
For more information please contact:
Sarah Beck, Dungeness Lifeboat Press Officer on [email protected] or 07956 615429
Jess Curtis, Regional Media Officer on 07724 801305 or [email protected]
Julie Rainey, Regional Communications Lead on 07827 358256 or [email protected].
RNLI Press Office is available 24/7 365 days a year 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.
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