Eastbourne lifeboat called out to rescue three people

AN RNLI spokesperson said that in deteriorating weather conditions, the volunteer crew members were paged at 8.41pm to assist a yacht with three people on board which had suffered engine failure.

The spokesperson said, “The 30ft yacht was heading west when it suffered engine failure. Sailing into a brisk south westerly wind, progress was difficult and with a forecast of freshening winds the skipper took the sensible option and called HM Coastguard for assistance.

“Having made contact and after transmitting an accurate GPS position, the crew turned off their navigation lights to preserve power for future vital VHF radio transmissions.

“Given a precise positional location the lifeboat, equipped with its sophisticated tracking equipment, quickly found the stricken vessel in the darkness seven and a half miles from Sovereign Harbour. A towline was attached and the slow return to harbour commenced, finally arriving at the safety of the marina locks shortly before midnight.”

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