Scarborough RNLI tow yacht to safety after engine and electrics failure
Scarborough RNLI lifeboats launched to assist a 50ft yacht with four people on board on Friday 22 August after the sailing vessel had broken down two nautical miles from Scarborough Harbour.
The all-weather lifeboat (ALB) Fredrick William Plaxton launched at 03.52pm Friday 22 August 2025 after been requested by HM Coastguard to assist a 50ft sailing vessel weighing 28 tons.
The sailing vessel had requested help as they discovered their electronics were failing and engine had stopped. The vessel attempted to anchor in the area but were dragging.
The lifeboat launched just before high water with the tide still flooding in. The weather was good with a relatively clear sky and sea conditions were moderate with approximately 1.5 meters of swell.
When the vessel was located it was anchored just off Cayton Bay but wasn’t holding anchor slowly drifting towards Filey.
As the vessel was drifting and was a risk to navigation with fading light and no VHF the best course of action was to take the vessel under tow to Scarborough Harbour.
Speaking after the call out, Scarborough RNLI’s Coxswain, said: ‘the lifeboat launched swiftly and quickly located the sailing vessel.’
‘The casualties were well prepared all wearing lifejackets and made the right call by alerting the Coastguard when they found themselves in difficulty. Our volunteers worked quickly establishing a tow back to Scarborough Harbour.’
‘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.
'If you find yourself in an emergency situation or spot someone else in trouble, including sightings of a red flare you should call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.’
'There are a number of different ways to call for help. With all water activities, we strongly encourage you to take a means of calling for help that is most suitable for your activity. We advise that you make sure you know how to use it and keep it within reach at all times. rnli.org/safety/how-to-call-for-help-at-sea. '
ENDS
Notes to editors
Scarborough lifeboat station has been operating since 1801. The crews have received 35 awards for gallantry and today the station operates a Shannon class all-weather lifeboat and a D class inshore lifeboat
To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/scarborough-lifeboat-station
RNLI media contacts
Nick Gough RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07939025881 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or [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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