Lowestoft RNLI Lifeboat called to solo yachtsman stranded with engine losing oil
An experienced solo sailor had to call for help from a lifeboat crew when his engine developed a fault and failed off the Suffolk coast
Lowestoft Lifeboat Coxswain John Fox said “with no response to HM Coastguard radio call to all vessels for urgent help, we were tasked at 2.07pm to launch our all-weather lifeboat 'Patsy Knight' and give assistance to the 10-metre local yacht that had suffered engine failure and was unable to make headway by sail.
When we reached the yacht, which was in the Stanford Channel about one and a half miles off Pakefield, the yachtsman told our volunteer crew that he had sailed from Southwold but with little wind and with the tide against him he was losing ground. But then when he started his engine it began to pump oil into the bilge – so, he was unable to use it to get out of his predicament.
We assessed the yacht’s situation and as it had broken down in a busy shipping channel it was agreed that the safest action was to tow the craft back to the nearest and as it happened to its home port of Lowestoft. The solo sailor accepted our offer of help and for one of the lifeboat crew to transfer over onto the yacht and give him a hand.
The sea was calm, and conditions were tranquil as we brought the grateful yachtsman into the harbour and moored his vessel on the heritage quay at 3.30pm - where he awaited an engineer to attend to his engine.”
Although this was a seasoned sailor who had done all the right things - a reminder to others that when going to sea always wear an appropriate lifejacket and always carry a means of calling and signalling for help..
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Richard Grange, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for North East and East England, 07483 112015, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]
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