Wells RNLI All-Weather lifeboat assists disabled cruiser off Weybourne

Wells RNLI volunteer crew were paged at 11:43am to launch Shannon class lifeboat Duke of Edinburgh following a request to assist the motor cruiser, which had left Boston earlier that day and was on passage around the coast. With two people onboard, the vessel had lost steering and was suffering propulsion issues, leaving it unable to make safe headway in challenging sea and swell conditions.

Duke of Edinburgh launched from the northern slipway at 11:56am towards the casualty vessel. When the lifeboat arrived on scene, the cruiser was being supported by the wind farm support vessel Eden Rose, which had responded to an earlier call for assistance and remained on standby until the lifeboat arrived.

Given the condition of the vessel and sea state, the Wells volunteer crew established a tow at 1:00pm, and it was agreed the safest course of action was to proceed eastward toward Lowestoft Harbour.

In consultation with HM Coastguard, Caister lifeboat an independent lifeboat service was tasked to rendezvous with the Wells crew and take over the tow for the final part of the journey. The handover was successfully completed at 1:50pm, and Wells Lifeboat was stood down.

Duke of Edinburgh then returned to station, arriving ashore at 3:40pm, before being recovered, washed down, refuelled and made ready for service again by 5:30pm.

RNLI Media contacts Jess Curtis, RNLI and Regional Engagements North and East, Lifeboat Press Officer at Wells: Tel 07483488243 Email: [email protected] contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

Notes to Editor

Interviews available upon request via details above

Wells RNLI carnival open day Wednesday 6 August Wells Lifeboat station an Inshore demonstration will take place.

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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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