Lone yachtsman sparks 14-hour rescue mission

Laura Hodgetts
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A single-handed yachtsman made a distress call to Humber Coastguard after his engine failed following rough weather.

The coastguard rescue helicopter was originally launched to locate the casualty and found the disabled yacht some 61 nautical miles off the east coast of England.

The helicopter crew spoke to the sailor who explained he had taken on quite a lot of water in bad weather through the night and his yacht’s engine was now not working. He was happy and fit enough to stay aboard but would need a tow back to safety.

The coastguard requested the launch of Humber RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat at around 4pm on Monday night. At 61 miles the lifeboat would take the best part of three hours to reach the man and his vessel so en route the crew worked where the vessel was likely to drift to.

While nearing the area, the lifeboat crew contacted the casualty and used their direction finding equipment to confirm the yacht’s location.

Approaching the stricken yacht 61 mile offshore. Credit: RNLI/Glenn Peterson

Approaching the stricken yacht 61 mile offshore. Credit: RNLI/Glenn Peterson

On scene, lifeboat crew were put aboard to assess the skipper and the yacht’s condition; thankfully the yachtsmen had done a good job of clearing the water and just needed the lifeboat’s assistance to get back the shore.

The sailor was put aboard the lifeboat and two RNLI crew stayed to attach the tow. After approximately 11 hours towing back to the river Humber, the yacht was put alongside and into the safety of Grimsby.

At 6.50am yesterday morning the RNLI Humber Lifeboat crew returned back to their station at Spurn point after 14 hours at sea.

Glenn Peterson Crew at Humber said: ‘Thankfully on this occasion the gentlemen was able to contact the coastguard and get the help required, we encourage everyone going out to sea to ensure they have a means of distress call available and that equipment is appropriate for the area you are in.’