Peterhead RNLI lifeboat tows broken down yacht to safety

The RNLI were tasked by the Coastguard at 7:11pm and made best speed to the location of the striken vessel in the vicinity of Cruden Bay. The casualty vessel had lost power and smoke was coming from the engine.

The Peterhead RNLI lifeboat arrived on scene and the volunteer crew towed the casualty vessel back to the safety of Peterhead Marina. There were two crew on board the casualty vessel and they were safe and had not sustained any injuries.

Mike Dyke, Duty Coxswain at Peterhead RNLI, says: "We were tasked by the UK Coastguard to a broken-down 8m yacht near The Skares Buoy at Cruden Bay with two crew members on board. Due to conditions on-scene it was decided to tow the casualty vessel to the safety of the marina within Peterhead Bay. The lifeboat then returned to the station to was readied for service. We're grateful that the yacht's crew recognised that they were in danger and alerted the UK Coastguard at the earliest opportunity before the situation worsened.

‘If you do get into difficulty when out on the water, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’

The lifeboat was then returned to the station to be made ready for next service.

Notes to editors

· Peterhead RNLI lifeboat station has been operating since 1865. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/peterhead-lifeboat-station

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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.

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