Launch Information - 07/08/2019

Summary

Two RNLI lifeboat crews were involved in the rescue of an exhausted lone sailor whose vessel was discovered in a gas field off the Norfolk coast.

The volunteer crew of Cromer RNLI lifeboat ‘Lester ‘was called at 6.41am to go to the aid of a 10 metre yacht with a solo sailor on board –discovered in the middle of the Leman gas field.

A supply vessel the ‘Putford Athena’ had found the yacht and stood by the craft until help arrived.

Cromer Lifeboat Coxswain Ady Woods said  ‘When we reached the yacht which was 18.3 nautical miles North East of Cromer we found that the sailor was feeling ill and was exhausted. We put a member of the lifeboat crew onto the yacht and connected a towline’.

 After starting the journey south to Lowestoft, a call was made to arrange to pass the tow the Suffolk town’s lifeboat.

After launching at 11.30am Lowestoft Lifeboat Coxswain John Fox said  “We rendezvoused with the Cromer boat off Happisburgh near NE Cross sand. We went alongside the yacht and took the Cromer crewman off and transferred a Lowestoft crewman on board.” 

With wind conditions described as ‘blowing a decent breeze’, a new towline was connected and Lowestoft RNLI Lifeboat ‘Patsy Knight’ began the 18 miles journey to Lowestoft 

Mr Fox added, “Speaking to the sailor he told us that he had only recently purchased the yacht and was intending to sail to Scotland“

Just after 3pm the yacht was finally brought into the Yacht Basin at Lowestoft where the yachtsman was met by HM Coastguard Rescue Team from Lowestoft and by Suffolk Police.

Details

Lifeboat: ON 1287 LESTER Lifeboat

Launched: 07/08/2019

Launch Time: 06:41

Returned: 07/08/2019

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Crew

Boat Crew: 

Ady Woods

Vernon Hoare

Lee Merritt

Mearl Brown

Kevin Johnson

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Shore Crew:

Steve Guest

John Redmond

Bernice Stowe

Kahn Brown

Paul Russell

Roger Sutton