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Aldeburgh RNLI Atlantic 85, Ralph, launched to aid yacht aground in river mouth

Lifeboats News Release

At 7.50am on Wednesday 18 June, Aldeburgh lifeboat station was tasked by the coastguard to a lone sailor on a 29ft yacht who had run aground in the mouth of the river Ore.

RNLI/Susie Potter

RNLI Aldeburgh Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Ralph by Susie Potter
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The crew were paged at 7.54am and the Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Ralph, was launched.

Once on scene, the volunteer crew could see the boat had gone aground on the shingle spit and the lone sailor was having trouble deploying an anchor that would hold fast.

It was not possible to safely manoeuvre the Atlantic 85 lifeboat close enough to secure a tow or to help deploy the anchor in a better position.

Having assessed the situation it was agreed that the sailing vessel and crew were not in danger and that they could wait until high tide when it would be safe to float off the current position.

The Aldeburgh Atlantic 85, Ralph, was stood down at 9.05am. The volunteer crew returned to station, the lifeboat was washed down, refuelled and back on service by 10.08am.

Notes to Editors

Aldeburgh lifeboat station has been operating since 1826 and has been part of the RNLI since 1852. Since formation, their lifeboats have launched 1,267 times and saved 693 lives.

Aldeburgh lifeboat station has two boats on service: B-class Atlantic 85, Ralph, and D class inshore lifeboat, Susan Scott.

RNLI Media contacts
For more information, please contact Jo Litt, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer: [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or at [email protected]

RNLI/Susie Potter

RNLI Aldeburgh Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Ralph by Susie Potter
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RNLI/Susie Potter

RNLI Aldeburgh Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Ralph by Susie Potter
Download image

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.

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