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Dart RNLI rescues yachtsman swept away by tide

Lifeboats News Release

Dart RNLI volunteers were tasked at 2.18am today (October 3) after reports of a missing person off a yacht moored at Darthaven Marina.

Andy Kyle

Dart RNLI crew search for the missing yachtsman
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The B-Class Atlantic responded first, soon joined by the D-Class, which went straight to the yacht, with one person still on board.
The crews discovered that a second crew member, aboard a tender, had drifted away from the yacht on the ebb tide and was unable to start the outboard.
The B-Class, helmed by Rich Eggleton and crewed by Liam Hassard and Yorkie Lomas, started searching towards the mouth of the river with searchlights. When they passed Bayards Cove towards Warfleet, they located the casualty, who had abandoned the tender and swum to a nearby yacht and climbed aboard.
The B-Class took the casualty to shore for assessment, and he was eventually returned to the original boat.
The D-Class, helmed by Tatty Pettigrew and crewed by Lee Darch and Sam Smale, found the tender near the Checkstone Buoy and returned it to the owner.
Helm Rich said: 'It was an excellent outcome this time and we were pleased to be able to help. The searchlights certainly made a difference. We wouldn't advise people to leave their tender in these circumstances, but it was a positive outcome.'

Andy Kyle

Dart RNLI crew search for the missing yachtsman
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Andy Kyle

Dart RNLI during the rescue operation
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RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Dom Hart, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI South West, [email protected]

Kyle Reed, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for South West England, 07786 668847, [email protected]

Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for South West England, 07920 818807, [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

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

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