Margate RNLI along with lifeboats from Ramsgate and Sheerness have assisted a disabled yacht off the north Kent coast.
Around 11am yesterday (Wednesday 8 March) UK Coastguard received a report from a member of the public of a yacht going round in circles off the harbour at Margate with the occupants waving their arms to attract attention.
Margate RNLI’s D class lifeboat was tasked to investigate and Margate Coastguard Rescue Team also proceeded to the harbour arm. The lifeboat quickly located the 14m yacht with two male occupants run aground after trying unsuccessfully to moor in the harbour, they reported problems with the yacht’s engine. The lifeboat secured a towline to the yacht and it was moved to safer waters for an assessment of the situation to be carried out.
It was established the vessel could not take the ground due to its single keel and with no suitable and safe berth in Margate and after consultation with the coastguard it was determined that the best way to ensure the safety of the craft and its occupants was to tow it to Ramsgate. The lifeboat towed the yacht to a position off Margate where Ramsgate’s all-weather lifeboat took over the tow.
As weather conditions were not ideal it was decided to seek a secondary port of refuge at Sheerness and Ramsgate lifeboat rendezvoused with Sheerness RNLI all-weather lifeboat off Reculver which completed the tow to the Medway. One of the D class lifeboat crewmembers from Margate remained on board the yacht to assist the occupants until Sheerness lifeboat took over the tow, returning to Thanet on the Ramsgate lifeboat.
