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Person overboard prompts call out for Yarmouth RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

On Friday 6 June, Yarmouth’s all-weather lifeboat 17-25 launched to assist rescue helicopter 175 after receiving reports that a person had fallen from their yacht into the water.

Rescue 175 and Yarmouth RNLI returning to base

RNLI/Hebe Gregory

Rescue 175 and Yarmouth RNLI returning to base

The volunteer crew at Yarmouth received a tasking from HM Coastguard at 3pm after receiving a mayday call that a person had fallen overboard from a sailing yacht two miles south-west of the Needles Lighthouse.


The all-weather RNLI lifeboat 17-25 ‘Eric and Susan Hiscock ‘Wanderer’’ made good speed to the last known location of the casualty and arrived alongside just before 3:20pm. A paramedic from the rescue helicopter was winched on board the RNLI lifeboat, and contact with the crew on board was made.

On scene it was determined that the casualty had been recovered and was receiving adequate treatment due to those on board being from a medical profession.


As casualty care was already being provided, the paramedic was no longer required and was recovered back onto the helicopter which then returned to base.


Yarmouth RNLI then escorted the casualty vessel back to Yarmouth harbour where they were met by Needles Coastal Rescue Team and an IOW NHS ambulance.


After the post recovery checks were complete, Yarmouth RNLI were marked as ready for service at 4pm.

Yarmouth RNLI were then tasked to a separate incident later that evening.

Notes to editors

  • Photos attached of Yarmouth Lifeboat and Rescue 175 as the paramedic was returning to the Helicopter.
  • Yarmouth RNLI Lifeboat 17-25 Eric and Susan Hiscock ‘Wanderer’ came into service in 2001, prior to that Yarmouth RNLI had an Arun Class Lifeboat 52-08 Joy and John Wade which was in service for 23 years.
  • 2025 marks Yarmouth Station's 101st year in service.

RNLI media contacts

● Hebe Gregory, Yarmouth RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer [email protected]

● Hatti Mellor, Regional Communications Manager (South East & London) [email protected]

● Julie Rainey, Regional Communications Lead (South East) [email protected]


For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

Rescue 175 and Yarmouth RNLI returning to base

RNLI/Hebe Gregory

Rescue 175 and Yarmouth RNLI returning to base

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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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.

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