Volunteer crew were tasked by HM Coastguard to aid a yacht drifting perilously close to the shore by the station slipway on Sunday afternoon. Being propelled shoreward by the wind and rising tide, the inshore lifeboat was required to tow the yacht to safety before it ran aground.
Having seen the boat drift ever closer to the seawall, an observer on the shore was able to shout to those on board and ask if they needed assistance, then call the Coastguard on their behalf. Pagers summoned volunteer crew, the lifeboat James and Helen Mason was quickly launched and alongside able to assess the situation.
Having boarded the casualty vessel, crew commander Ewan Sim explained “we checked the health of casualties then set a tow up, then towed on to a safe mooring off the station”. The owners of the vessel were in good health and had believed the vessel to have sufficient fuel for their planned journey. Unfortunately, this was not the case. They opted to remain on board overnight while awaiting a tow contractor to return them home the following day.
When enjoying leisure activities on or near the shore, always carry a means of calling for help. Dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
