Sailing Boat Ill Prepared

Sunday, September 20, 2009
Posted 08:54 GMT

A 32 foot sailing boat with 3 people aboard repeatedly ran aground off Kings Lynn with little if any navigation and safety equipment aboard.

Yarmouth Coastguard received a call from a member of the public at 8:40pm on Saturday evening reporting a sailing boat with 3 people on board lost in the Wash. The boat had left Sutton Bridge saturday morning aiming to go to Snetisham when it ran aground en route at approximately 1:00pm. After the tide returned and the boat floated free it was getting dusk and the owner was unsure of his position. The only method of communication on board was a mobile phone which was low on battery power.

Yarmouth Coastguard sent Hunstanton Coastguard Rescue Team to the scene and requested the launch of the Hunstanton inshore and Skegness inshore and all weather RNLI lifeboats, to search for the boat and guide him to safety.

The boat was spotted at approximately 10:30pm by the Coastguard team and the Hunstanton lifeboat was directed towards their position. Before they could be reached the boat was run aground for a second time.

Two of the three people aboard were taken off the boat and returned to shore with the owner insisting on remaining on board to look after his yacht.

Dave Moore, Watch officer at Yarmouth Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, said:

There were no up to date charts on board, emergency flares, VHF radio, lights - not even a torch, or compass. You should never venture out onto the water without being prepared, it is essential to have the basic tools for navigating safely and the safety of your crew aboard.

For further details contact:
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency Press Office
023 8032 9401