Dungeness RNLI called to aid sailing yacht stuck in fishing gear

The 36ft yacht with two people on board, had reported running into some fishing gear which had stopped their propellor from working and they needed assistance.

The lifeboat crew launched at 3.18pm and made best speed to the yacht located off Dungeness point, arriving at 3.30pm.

Two volunteer crew transferred to the sailing vessel to assess the situation. Both people on the yacht were fit and well but the fishing gear had rendered the yacht without a means of propulsion and there were minimal winds for sailing.

After assessment by the coxswain, it was decided the yacht needed to be towed to the nearest suitable safe haven of Eastbourne away from dangers of the shipping lanes of the English Channel.

The lifeboat began the tow to Eastbourne and met with Eastbourne all-weather lifeboat where they took over the tow at 6.00pm.

Shortly after, Eastbourne lifeboat were requested by UK Coastguard to attend an immediate tasking so Dungeness lifeboat retook the tow at 6.35pm.

Eastbourne lifeboat were stood down from their immediate tasking and met again with Dungeness lifeboat at 7.40pm where they took over the tow and brought the yacht back to the safety of Eastbourne marina.

On returning to station, the Dungeness volunteers were then tasked to a search for a grey rib with two people on board off Fairlight. The lifeboat began a search and found the vessel at 8pm with two people on board fishing with no safety concerns.

This was deemed to be a false alarm with good intent and the lifeboat returned to station ready for recovery into the boathouse at 8.50pm.

Jon Morgan, Coxswain, says:

‘The people on the yacht today did the right thing in calling for help when they ran into difficulties. They were well equipped with lifejackets and liferafts. They had tried to rectify the issues but ultimately needed to call the UK Coastguard for assistance and we were happy to help get them to safety. It is always good to work alongside our flanking stations to get a good outcome.’

If you are interested in volunteering at Dungeness RNLI, we have a number of opportunities available, no maritime experience needed. Contact [email protected] or 01797 320317 for more information.

Notes to Editors

· Dungeness lifeboat station has been running since 1826.

· The station received the first Shannon-class lifeboat in the RNLI fleet – The Morrell

· The station is famous for its Lady Launchers, local women and wives of the crew who helped launch the lifeboat until 1977.

Ends

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For more information please contact Sarah Beck, Dungeness Lifeboat Press Officer on [email protected] or 07956 615429, Hatti Mellor, Regional Media Officer on 07724801305 or [email protected] or alternatively, Regional Media Manager Julie Rainey on 07827 358256 or [email protected]. RNLI Press Office is available 24/7 365 days a year 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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