2 days ago
Edinburgh-bound yacht rescued due to engine failure as lone sailor 'exhausted'
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A yacht heading to Edinburgh was rescued after the sailor was 'exhausted' and the vessel suffered engine failure.
Anstruther RNLI were tasked to assist on Tuesday evening, June 10, as the 26-foot yacht was reported to be two miles south of the Isle of May. The lone sailor had experienced engine failure and made an emergency call to HM Coastguard.
The lifeboat launched shortly before midnight and the crew of six tracked down the vessel, which was heading for Granton.
The yacht had drifted from its originally reported position, but due to advanced technology onboard the all-weather lifeboat the volunteer crew were able to locate and identify the vessel.
Taking to Facebook RNLI Anstruther told how it was quickly established the sailor was "completely exhausted" from his planned passage from Shields to Granton and the safest way was to tow it back to a safe harbour.
Michael Bruce, RNLI Coxswain for Anstruther, says: "The casualty made the correct decision by making a timeous call to the Coastguard and requesting assistance, If the call wasn't made when it was it could have resulted in a far more serious incident developing, especially considering the light level and the degree of drift.
"This rescue enabled the volunteer crew to conduct its first real-time tow for the Anstruther RNLI Shannon all-weather lifeboat, and to have to execute it in the dark added a degree of difficulty, which was only made possible by the regular training undertaken by the crew."
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Just a day earlier, on June 9, the crew were tasked to launch the all-weather lifeboat after a request was made by police to extend a search and assist with North Berwick RNLI for a person reported in the water.
However, they were instructed to stand down as they received confirmation the person had been rescued between Gullane and Yellowcraigs.
