Royal Navy Rescues Five Stranded Yacht Sailors
A 36FT monohull yacht started taking on water with five sailors aboard. Four were badly seasick, desperate for rescue.
HMS Diamond Leads the Lifesaving Effort
The Royal Navy’s Type 45 Destroyer, HMS Diamond, was first on the scene after the yacht sent a Mayday call. They evacuated four of the five sailors, leaving the skipper onboard. To support the skipper, HMS Diamond sent three seamen to assist on the yacht.
The yacht was making its way northwest under motor-sail when trouble hit.
RNLI Lifeboats Join the Rescue
Newhaven RNLI lifeboat linked up with HMS Diamond to take the seasick sailors to safety. Coxswain Lewis Arnold said, “The four casualties were very seasick, we needed to get them to the closest safe port.” At 5am, the lifeboat docked in Portsmouth to deliver the rescued sailors. Meanwhile, Bembridge RNLI escorted the yacht to a secure harbour.
After a grueling nine-hour mission, Newhaven Lifeboat returned to base at 7.49am.
Commander Praises Crew’s Heroics
Commander Peter Barfoot, HMS Diamond’s Commanding Officer, congratulated his team on their swift actions, saying:
“When the yacht sent out her distress call, Diamond was in the vicinity and therefore able to respond in a timely manner. The ship’s company evacuated and disembarked crew needing medical help, while specialists supported the yacht’s skipper, preventing the vessel from sinking.
“In tough conditions, without rest, my team saved five sailors’ lives and stopped the yacht from being lost. This is in keeping with the finest traditions of the service and I’m incredibly proud of my crew.”
HMS Diamond has since sailed from Portsmouth to join HMS Queen Elizabeth as part of a Carrier Strike Group on Operation Achillean in northern European waters.
