VIDEO: Skegness lifeboat joins Mablethorpe and Wells to rescue stranded German crew

Lifeboats from Skegness, Mablethorpe and Wells were despatched to help a yacht which suffered engine failure while on its way to Lowestoft on Friday.
RNLI lifeboats from Skegness, Mablethorpe and Wells were called out to a ship grounded off Mablethorpe on Friday. Picture supplied by Russell MatthewsRNLI lifeboats from Skegness, Mablethorpe and Wells were called out to a ship grounded off Mablethorpe on Friday. Picture supplied by Russell Matthews
RNLI lifeboats from Skegness, Mablethorpe and Wells were called out to a ship grounded off Mablethorpe on Friday. Picture supplied by Russell Matthews

The three Royal National Lifeboat Institution boats were called when the 32ft motor yacht Lucky, which had travelled from Goole, suffered engine failure off Mablethorpe and drifted onto the beach as it tried to fix the problem.

The first boat out was Mablethorpe’s Atlantic 75 class Joan Mary which was launched at 11.45am to offer assistance to the German crew of the yacht and took them under tow away from the beach and south towards Skegness.

Skegness’ all-weather lifeboat Lincolnshire Poacher was then requested to launch at 12.45pm and, after transferring volunteer crew members Dean Sumner and Tony Kelly across to Lucky, took over the tow from Mablethorpe lifeboat at 1.30pm, near Anderby.

RNLI lifeboats from Skegness, Mablethorpe and Wells were called out to a ship grounded off Mablethorpe on Friday. Picture supplied by Russell MatthewsRNLI lifeboats from Skegness, Mablethorpe and Wells were called out to a ship grounded off Mablethorpe on Friday. Picture supplied by Russell Matthews
RNLI lifeboats from Skegness, Mablethorpe and Wells were called out to a ship grounded off Mablethorpe on Friday. Picture supplied by Russell Matthews

Coxswain Ray Chapman said it was a straightforward call out and the lifeboat was able to make good progress towing the casualty in excellent conditions.

Ray said: “When we arrived on scene, Mablethorpe lifeboat had already got the boat off the beach and out of any danger. Our job was simply to take over the tow to Wells and we made good progress in the calm conditions.’

Wells’ all-weather lifeboat Doris M. Mann, of Ampthill, was launched as the boat reached the Norfolk coast to take over the tow for the final leg of the journey into Wells harbour.

Skegness lifeboat returned to Skegness beach at 5pm and was washed down, refuelled and ready for her next call out at 6.30pm.

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