Great Yarmouth & Gorleston RNLI rescues four casualties from stricken yacht

The stricken yacht had experienced engine failure and was pushed onto the sandbank just before low water. A life raft was deployed but due to the conditions the four casualties onboard the yacht were unable to disembark.

Helm, John McLellan, made numerous attempts to approach the yacht but in challenging sea conditions and the state of the tide there was not enough depth to get close. The casualties abandoned the yacht that was beginning to break up and set adrift on a tender. Great Yarmouth and Gorleston volunteer crew swiftly moved in through the confused surf and plucked the casualties from their tender onto the lifeboat.

All four casualties, cold and fatigued but otherwise unharmed, were then transferred to the independent Caister all-weather lifeboat at 6:25pm who passaged back to Gorleston to waiting paramedics who treated them for cold water exposure. Upon returning to the station the casualties were greeted by waiting shore crew who assisted keeping them warm and offered support.

Helm John McLellan said: ‘Conditions on scene were extremely testing, with strong tides and breaking surf making it difficult to reach the casualties. This is one of the most challenging rescues most of us have ever been part of, but our training meant we could stay calm and focused, and the two crews pulled together brilliantly. The close cooperation with our colleagues at Caister Lifeboat and the Coastguard was key to us being able to effect this rescue and bring everyone home safely.'

Inshore lifeboat John Rowntree was stood down by HM Coastguards and the volunteer crew returned to station. The lifeboat was recovered and following a washdown and refuelling was made ready again for service.

Media contacts For further information, please contact RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Ben Penning: [email protected] or the RNLI press office on 01202 336789 / [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.

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.