11 Apr - ILB and ALB launched to yacht blown ashore

1115 During squally weather, with winds gusting to force 6, a 10m yacht (with two people onboard) was being towed by a tender onto a mooring. Just as they were trying to pick up the mooring the tender lost power and the yacht but was blown ashore on the outer edge of the Blue Lagoon in Poole Harbour. Both lifeboats launched with the inshore lifeboat (ILB) arriving on scene first to find that other vessels were also trying to assist. The new Coastguard helicopter, Rescue helicopter 106, was also hovering overhead.

The ILB managed to tie a line to the top of the yacht’s mast and Helmsman Richard Skerman pulled the yacht over on its side so that its keel would not dig into the seabed. This allowed another vessel, with a towline from the yacht’s bow, to try to tow the yacht. However, the other vessel didn’t have enough power so a towline was passed from the all-weather lifeboat (ALB) to a nearby police boat, which took it to the yacht – the ALB was unable to get in close enough due to the shallow conditions.

ILB crew member Pete Smith, who had gone onboard the yacht, was able to fasten the towline from the lifeboat to the bow of the yacht but, even with the power of the ALB and the ILB still keeping the yacht on its side, the two lifeboats were unable to shift the yacht. It was stuck fast with its bilge keels digging into the seabed.

The ILB then released its line from the top of the mast but the ALB continued to try to tow the yacht off. As the yacht was still aground, the ALB had to try and ‘bounce’ the yacht along in the shallow waters. This was difficult for both the yacht and the lifeboat and at one stage the lifeboat also went aground as it was struggling to keep the tension on the towline. Fortunately the lifeboat has protected propellers so no damage was done and Coxswain Jonathan Clark managed to get her afloat again to continue the tow.

Eventually the yacht was dragged into deeper water and Pete helped the owner to check whether any damage had been done in the bilges. The yacht was then able to motor under its own power into Salterns Marina.

As the ILB and ALB were returning to station the ALB was diverted to a fishing boat that had a broken rudder and was being towed by a police boat. On arrival on scene, the police boat was happy to continue towing the fishing boat so the ALB returned to station to refuel and wash down. Both lifeboats were ready for service again by 1300.