Stricken yacht towed to safety by Alderney RNLI

The Alderney RNLI all-weather lifeboat, Roy Barker I was launched at 3.00pm and was on scene at 3.13pm.

Two RNLI volunteer crew members were transferred to the vessel using the small inflatable boat carried onboard the lifeboat, in order to assess the damage of the stricken yacht, which was on the reef.

At 3.55pm, as the tide was beginning to turn, the vessel was successfully recovered from the reef and both vessels returned to Braye Harbour at 4.54pm.

Coxswain Declan Gaudion said: 'The 11m yacht with four persons on board had got into difficulty whilst navigating the very strong tides of the Alderney Race. Fortunately the vessel did not sustain any serious damage, due to the very calm sea conditions.'

The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations around the coasts of the UK and Ireland. The charity also provides a lifeguard service on more than 240 beaches around the UK and Channel Islands each summer.

Media Contacts

Jo Parmentier, Alderney RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer (07911) 723336 [email protected]

Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer, London and South East (07785) 296252 [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity 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 142,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.