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Reports of a vessel taking on water assisted by Yarmouth and Lymington RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

On Saturday 1 June 2024, Yarmouth RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat was tasked to assist when reports came through that the casualty’s sailing yacht had began taking on water whilst situated at Colwell Bay, half a nautical mile west of Fort Albert.

17-25 and B-882 on scene

RNLI/Hebe Gregory

17-25 and B-882 on scene

At 11:58am, both Yarmouth and Lymington RNLI were paged by HM Coastguard to a 23ft sailing yacht whose owner had called after the vessel had began to take on water.

Yarmouth’s volunteer crew arrived alongside the casualty by 12:06pm but due to the depth of water around the casualty vessel, Lymington’s inshore RNLI lifeboat, B-882 ‘David Bradley’ transferred a member of their volunteer crew onto the casualty vessel to assess the situation.

It was determined that the water ingress was not serious, so Lymington RNLI passed a towline and commenced the return passage back towards Lymington.

Yarmouth’s all-weather lifeboat escorted the two vessels towards Lymington entrance, where on route, the tender between the casualty vessel and Lymington lifeboat came adrift. Yarmouth RNLI recovered the tender and continued the tow into Lymington.

Yarmouth lifeboat returned to station, completed their post recovery checks and were marked as ready for service at 1:37pm


Notes to editors

  • Photo attached of Yarmouth Lifeboat leaving Yarmouth Harbour on tasking by RNLI/ Suzanne Brown, and on scene with Lymington Lifeboat taken on the ship's camera.
  • Yarmouth RNLI Lifeboat 17-25 Eric and Susan Hiscock ‘Wanderer’ came into service in 2001, prior to that Yarmouth RNLI had an Arun Class Lifeboat 52-08 Joy and John Wade which was in service for 23 years.
  • As well as 2024 being the year the RNLI celebrates its 200th year, it will also be Yarmouth Station's 100th year in service.


  • If you’re struggling in the water this summer, floating could save your life. Remember it. Share it. #FloatToLive

RNLI media contacts

● Hebe Gregory, Yarmouth RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer [email protected]

● Hatti Mellor, Regional Communications Manager (South East & London) [email protected]

● Julie Rainey, Regional Communications Lead (South East) [email protected]

For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

17-25 making good speed to location

RNLI/Suzanne Brown

17-25 making good speed to location

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.

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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.

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