Eastbourne lifeboats scrambled to save yacht after engine failure

The lifeboats, operated by volunteers, were called to assist HM Coastguard on Saturday (May 30) at around 3.25pm after the 10-metre catamaran yacht became faulty and made its way onto submerged rocks near the Wish Tower.

An Eastbourne RNLI spokesperson said, “The vessel was being pounded in the surf and was in severe danger of breaking up. Two crewmen from the inshore lifeboat were put into the water to assess damage to the yacht whilst local coastguards escorted the two yachtsmen ashore.”

The spokesperson said the inshore lifeboat helmsman Jim Edwards was satisfied the yacht’s hull had not been damaged and decided the best way to save the vessel was to tow it into deeper water.

The spokesperson said, “A towline was attached and the yacht was pulled clear of the rocks. Meanwhile the all-weather lifeboat had arrived on scene and in deeper water the tow was transferred to the larger lifeboat.

“The yacht was then towed to the safety of Sovereign Harbour.”

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