Weston Lifeboat in Five Hour Service

Last night the Weston-super-Mare

lifeboats were launched to aid a yacht aground on the Black Rock off Waines

Hill, Clevedon.

 

Swansea Coastguard had become concerned that the yacht could

be in difficulties as it would refloat after dark. The RNLI lifeboat crew were

paged at 1927 hrs and the Atlantic 75 "Coventry and Warwickshire" was launched

at 1935 closely followed by the D-class "Anna Stock".

 

When the crew reached the casualty the lone sailor on board

was tired but unhurt and the vessel seemed undamaged. The RNLI lifeboats stood

by the yacht until it refloated at 2215 hrs. A crewman was put on board the

casualty and it was taken in tow by the Atlantic 75. Escorted by the D-class

the yacht was towed to its moorings in the river Axe were it was moored at

0015. The lifeboats returned to station and were ready for service again by

0030.

 

Helmsman Liam McDermott said. “The sailor deliberately

grounded his yacht after fowling his propeller on a lost rope. The skipper kept

the Coastguard updated with his situation which enabled our RNLI lifeboats to

offer assistance well in advance of any potential problems.”