An early start to the day for Ramsgate RNLI as yacht suffers engine failure
On Monday 11 June at 05.33am the all-weather lifeboat 'Esme Anderson' was launched to the assistance of a 31ft yacht with engine failure near the North East Goodwin buoy off Ramsgate.
Once on the scene the crew of the yacht were requested to pull their anchor up, but they were unable to do so as it was stuck too firmly. The all-weather boat crew then asked the crew to loop the tow rope around their anchor chain, which enabled the lifeboat to pull the anchor free from the sea bed, which allowed the casualty to retrieve their anchor.
Once this was completed the Esme Anderson was then able to tow the yacht safely into harbour.
What appears to be a simple thing shows the expertise and experience of the crew of the RNLI in handling these situations.
In 2015 there were 818 RNLI lifeboat launches nationally to yachts alone and that number increases as yachting becomes more popular. If you are taking to the seas always carry a means of calling for help and ensure everyone onboard knows how to use it.
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RNLI Media Contacts
Karen Cox Local Press Officer coxinthebox63@gmail.com tel 07779 848431
Paul Dunt Regional Media Officer London and South East email paul_dunt@rnli.org.uk tel 0778520296252.
Key facts about the RNLI
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 238 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 240 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.
The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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The RNLI is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number 20003326 in the Republic of Ireland