YACHT HITS PLYMOUTH BREAKWATER


A yachtsman has been rescued after his yacht hit the Plymouth breakwater this evening.

Brixham Coastguard received a Mayday broadcast from a yachtsman aboard a 26ft yacht, at .  Tamar Coastguard Rescue Team were sent to the scene and the Plymouth RNLI inshore and all weather lifeboats were requested to launch.  Also on scene was the MOD police launch.

Andy Huber, Watch Manager, Brixham Coastguard, says:

“The sole yachtsman was sailing his boat from Dartmouth to Wales and took shelter at Plymouth due to the worsening weather conditions on scene of south westerlies force 5 – 6 gusting 7.  The yacht hit the eastern end breakwater but managed to re-float but then hit the western end and went firmly aground.  The yachtsman was then able to step off the boat onto the breakwater where he was rescued by the lifeboat crew who guided him to a safer area to embark on the lifeboat. He was then taken to Plymouth lifeboat station.  The yacht is still firmly aground.”

We recommend boat users to join the coastguard’s Voluntary Safety Identification Scheme CG66. If you then get into difficulty the coastguard will have information that may assist in your search and rescue.  The scheme is free and is for the benefit of the owners and skippers of all types of leisure vessels and small craft. For more information visit www.dft.gov.uk/mca or contact your local coastguard station.


Notes to Editors:

  • Stay safe - before heading out on the water get trained, check weather and tides, wear a lifejacket, avoid alcohol and keep in touch
                                                                                                                     
  • Follow us on Twitter. We can be found at  MCA_media

  • The MCA is a partner in the Sea Vision UK campaign to raise awareness and understanding of the sea and maritime activities  http://www.seavisionuk.org/

                                                                          

For further details contact:
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency Duty Press Officer
Office hours: 023 8032 9401Mobile: 07764 624 505
Press releases and further information about the Agency is available on the Web at www.mcga.gov.uk

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