Yarmouth Lifeboat has been called to assist three people who became stranded when the yacht they were on started taking on water at Newtown Creek.
Yarmouth’s Severn class all weather lifeboat, Eric and Susan Hiscock (Wanderer), was tasked to launch by HM Coastguard at 8.34pm last night (Monday) to reports of a sailing vessel aground and taking on water in Newtown Creek.
Yarmouth RNLI’s volunteer crew assembled awaiting further information from HM Coastguard, once the decision had been taken to launch in order to assess whether there was any potential threat to life, they headed east out of Yarmouth harbour.
Having arrived on scene at Newtown Creek, the all weather lifeboat deployed the ‘Y’ boat in order to put two crew members on board the 30 foot gaff rigged boat.
They assessed the situation, all three of the yacht’s crew members were safe and well.
In the calm conditions, the water ingress was being managed effectively by the bilge pump.
There was some visible damage to the yacht around the keel footing, which would need the vessel to be lifted out for further assessment and repairs.
The skipper took the decision to remain in Newtown Creek overnight and return to their home port of Cowes at first light. Before standing down and returning to Yarmouth, the RNLI crew ensured that the situation was under control, that the yacht was safely moored and her crew were not in danger.
Coxswian, Howard Lester, said:
"We are currently experiencing very low spring tides, so it is important to carefully check tidal heights when entering harbours and anchorages."
Yarmouth lifeboat returned to her berth and was ready for service at 10.20pm.
The RNLI remains an independent charity that relies on voluntary contributions to fund its lifesaving work.