Articles Exmouth RNLI volunteer crew rescue yacht in rough weather conditions

Exmouth RNLI volunteer crew rescue yacht in rough weather conditions

Exmouth RNLI volunteer crew rescue yacht in rough weather conditions

Exmouth’s all weather lifeboat, Margaret Jean was tasked to assist a yacht in Lyme Bay at 9.34am. Portland coastguard had taken a distress call from a two-man crew aboard a yacht in rough weather conditions suffering from sea sickness.

With winds at force six and a swell of three metres, the volunteer six-man crew on board the Mersey class lifeboat went to search for the yacht which was approximately 10 miles off Lyme Regis.

The two-man crew on the yacht were from London and Norfolk and were sailing around the coast. Deputy Launching Authority, Neil Hurlock commented;

‘Although both men were experienced sailors, they were unfamiliar with local weather conditions. South south-easterly winds in the Lyme Bay create very uncomfortable sea conditions.’

When the RNLI volunteers reached the yacht, two crew members jumped aboard and motor-sailed the vessel back to Exmouth.  They reached the lifeboat station at 3.20pm where Lifeboat Medical Adviser, Dr. Peter Aitken was waiting. He said of their condition;

‘The sea conditions were challenging and sea sickness a problem. Both crew rescued were tired but in good physical shape.’

Author: ian_taylor@rnli.org.uk