Donate now

Dart RNLI volunteers steer stricken yacht to safety

Lifeboats News Release

Dart RNLI volunteers were tasked at 9.23pm on Tuesday (Aug 26) after reports of a yacht in difficulty seven miles southeast of Dartmouth.

The B Class Atlantic lifeboat, helmed by Rich Eggleton and with crew Yorkie Lomas, Tom Shanley and Sam Smale, headed out to discover a 45 foot yacht with engine failure and the two crew fatigued and suffering from seasickness.
Yorkie was put on board and after an assessment it was decided he would help the crew sail their vessel back into Dartmouth. At the mouth of the river a line was fixed and the yacht towed into Town Pontoon.
While going out to the shout and on the return, the Dart crew passed colleagues from Salcombe RNLI who were on a separate shout to a solo sailor with a head injury. They helped him into Dartmouth and a waiting ambulance.
RNLI Media Contacts
For more information, contact Dart Lifeboat Press Officer, Dominic Hart on [email protected] or 07767 764 144. Alternatively, you can contact the RNLI Press Office on [email protected] or 01202336789.

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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.

Categories