Hoylake and Rhyl RNLI tow yacht to safety after engine failure
Rhyl and Hoylake RNLI lifeboats launched to assist a 38ft yacht with three people on board on Wednesday 13 August after the vessel had broken down in the night off the North Wales coast.
The yacht had been drifting east towards the hazards of the Gwynt Y Mor Windfarm and the busy shipping lanes of the River Mersey. Rhyl RNLI lifeboat launched at around 10.15pm on Wednesday night and soon located the casualties.
With the vessel unable to get underway due to engine failure or sail in the calm conditions, in consultation between the casualties, HM Coastguard and Rhyl RNLI it was assessed that the best option was for the lifeboat to tow the yacht towards the nearest safe and suitable port at Liverpool.
HM Coastguard requested the launch of Hoylake’s all-weather Shannon class lifeboat Edmund Hawthorn Micklewood at 12.07am on Thursday 14 August to take over the tow to Liverpool from Rhyl RNLI.
Hoylake RNLI lifeboat launched and headed out into Liverpool Bay to rendezvous with Rhyl Lifeboat near the entrance to the Queen’s Channel. The tow was safely passed between the lifeboats and Rhyl Lifeboat stood down before returning to station.
With the tide flooding, Hoylake Lifeboat was able to bring the casualty through the Rock Channel off New Brighton and reach Liverpool Marina in just a few hours. The lifeboat crew brought the yacht through the lock and secured it on a berth in the marina. As the casualties were safe and well and needed no further assistance, the lifeboat was stood down and returned to station for 5.15am.
Hoylake RNLI Coxswain Howie Owen said: ‘The casualties were well prepared and made the right call by alerting the Coastguard when they found themselves in difficulty. Our volunteers worked through the night as one crew with Rhyl RNLI to ensure the vessel and crew could be brought to safety.’
‘Mechanical failure is the single biggest cause of rescue call outs to sailing and motor cruisers, accounting for nearly 20 per cent of all RNLI lifeboat launches. If you get into difficulty at sea, always call the Coastguard on VHF Channel 16 or by dialling 999.’
Whether sailing or motorboating, check out the RNLI’s advice so you can have fun and stay safe while at sea here: RNLI.org/sailing.
RNLI media contacts
For more information, please contact:
Dan Whiteley, Hoylake RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer on 07799 851 316 or email [email protected]
Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager on 07977 728 315 or email [email protected]
RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789
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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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