THREE RESCUED FROM YACHT IN BRISTOL CHANNEL

Three people were rescued from a yacht this afternoon after it ran aground on a sand bank in the Bristol Channel.

The crew of seven metre yacht ‘Jeannie’ broadcast a mayday message asking for urgent help at just before 4.20pm this afternoon after their yacht ran aground and was being pounded by waves. Swansea Coastguard heard the mayday message and sent the RNLI Lifeboat from Penarth, the independent Portishead lifeboat and the rescue helicopter from RAF Chivenor to the scene.  

Because of the yacht’s position the lifeboats couldn’t take the crew off the yacht and so the three crew were winched on to the helicopter. Penarth Coastguard Rescue Team prepared the helicopter landing site so the crew could be brought back to dry land. The lifeboat from Penarth will go back out to yacht at high tide tonight (9.30pm) to help refloat the yacht.

Steve Jones, Watch Manager at Swansea Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre said:
“Sand banks rapidly appear when the tide starts to flow out of the Bristol Channel. The crew of the ‘Jeannie’ did exactly the right thing; they used their vhf radio to raise the alarm and were able to give their correct position so we could get the help they needed straight to them.

-Ends-

Notes to Editors

  1. Stay safe - before heading out on the water get trained, check weather and tides, wear a lifejacket, avoid alcohol and keep in touch

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