Rye Harbour, UK – On the evening of Thursday, July 13, a coordinated effort by RNLI Rye Harbour and Pett Level Rescue Boat successfully rescued a stranded yacht at Camber Sands. The urgent call to action came at 8:24 pm.
Luke Bishop, the helm at RNLI Rye Harbour, recounted the mission, stating, “At 8:35 pm, our lifeboat was launched to aid a yacht that had been grounded on Camber Sands throughout the day. Although the yacht had refloated during the evening tide, it encountered a loss of power and began drifting perilously close to the shore.”
Recognising the critical situation, Pett Level Rescue Boat, also assigned by HM Coastguard, swiftly responded with a crew member aboard the yacht, establishing a tow. To provide additional assistance, an RNLI crew member joined the efforts. Working together seamlessly, they utilized RNLI Rye Harbour’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat to safely tow the stranded yacht back to Rye Harbour.
Following nearly twenty-four hours stranded on Camber Sands, the solo skipper of the yacht was understandably cold and fatigued. The compassionate lifeboat crew welcomed him ashore, offering much-needed warmth, a comforting hot drink, and ensuring his well-being.
A spokesperson from Pett Level Rescue Boat commended the remarkable collaboration, stating, “At approximately 8:30 pm, Solent Coastguard tasked us with attending a grounded yacht at Camber Sands. Fortunately, as we were already on the water for a routine training session, we swiftly diverted to assist the distressed vessel. Our lifeboat expertly provided a tow, skillfully navigating the shallow surf and safely guiding the yacht into deeper waters. We subsequently transferred the tow to the RNLI Rye Harbour lifeboat, which continued the journey up the river to a secure mooring.”
