Sailing and Boating news

Yacht in difficulties off Devon coast - but where?

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Article Date: 2008-07-24
View Count: 641

At just before 8.00 a.m. this morning, Swansea Coastguard received a very indistinct mobile phone call from a yacht which appeared to have broken down and was taking on water after springing a leak. The caller was unaware of his position although the caller thought he was off Morte Point in North Devon. The connection was then lost.

Coastguards from the Morthoe Rescue Team were sent to the cliff top to scan the sea area for any sign of the vessel whilst an RNLI lifeboat from Ilfracombe was requested to launch and rescue helicopter was also scrambled from RAF Chivenor. In the meantime a Mayday signal was broadcast into the area from Swansea Coastguard asking other vessels to assist - if they could see a yacht near them.

After some time and effort in trying to reconnect with the yacht on the mobile phone number that was recorded at the time of the first call, contact was finally made and the caller described his 30 foot yacht 'Kirby' as a blue hulled one with two people on board. He said he could see a light house and a radar dome. He and his colleague were bailing water as they drifted in strong north easterly winds with quite a sea chop.

Their sails were down to prevent them drifting still further. He also said they had neither flares nor a satellite navigation system. They were both in lifejackets and red suits.

Steve Jones, Watch Manager at Swansea Coastguard said

"The description of the radar dome and coastline suggested to us that the vessel was about 17 miles further along the coast. We then asked the Appledore all weather lifeboat to launch and sent a further Coastguard team to the high ground at Baggy Point to see if they could spot the yacht 'Kirby'.

"By 08.30 am this morning however the helicopter had managed to spot them in the sea and found they were much closer to Clovelly and near Hartland Quays. The Clovelly inshore lifeboat was then launched in order to render assistance and take them under tow and bring them back into Clovelly harbour. By 10.30 the vessel was safe in the harbour to be met by Coastguards.

"It was identified that the vessel had no charts, no liferaft and no radio equipment. The vessel had sailed from Weston Super Mare and that the engine failed due to water coming through drain holes in the cockpit. The sails couldn't be hoisted as the tracks on the vessel were bent. It is intended that the vessel is transported back to Essex by road.

"We cannot stress enough that if you are intending to take to the water during this season, or any other season for that matter and be prepared. No doubt this experience will be a salutary lesson to the two men on board this yacht."
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