Donate now

Yacht in difficulty south-southeast of Portland Bill

Lifeboats News Release

Weymouth relief all weather lifeboat (ALB) The Duke of Kent launched to assist a 32 ft sloop with two people on board, south southeast (SSE) of Portland Bill.

Weymouth all weather lifeboat (ALB) The Duke of Kent (our current relief vessel) launched at 18:37 on Saturday 17 February, following a request from Solent Coastguard to launch to the assistance of a 32 ft sloop with two people on board, south southeast (SSE) of Portland Bill.

It was reported to our duty launch authority that the vessel, which was on route from Salcombe to Poole, had suffered an engine failure before then losing their foresail while in the race off the Portland Bill.

Compounding matters the skipper had gone forward to sort the foresail but had slipped on deck and injured himself.

Given the situation the crew issued a Mayday call which was received by Solent Coastguard.

Our volunteer crew aboard the Duke of Kent, arrived on scene at 19:15, in strong (40kts) SW winds and a very rough sea state.

Having assessed that the people aboard were able to proceed, they established a tow and brought the casualty vessel into Weymouth harbour, arriving at 20:50 where they were met by Southwest Ambulance and coastguard crews.

The Duke of Kent returned to station, was cleaned down, refuelled and made ready. Weymouth RNLI volunteer crew stood down at 21:55.

Footnote: the casualty stopped by the station, safe and well, with a donation and thanked everyone for their efforts last evening.

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.

About the authors

Nick Critchell
Lifeboat Press Officer, Weymouth
Emma Haines
Regional Communications Manager, South West

Categories