Here and Now boat fire

Yarmouth lifeboat launched to Bond film motorboat blaze

Thanks to Clare for sharing this news from Yarmouth RNLI. Ed


The RNLI’s Yarmouth lifeboat Eric and Susan Hiscock (Wanderer) was called out on Friday last week to go to the aid of a classic motor launch with a serious engine fire off Lymington.

The lifeboat launched from Yarmouth harbour at 3.20pm following a mayday call to the Solent Coastguard from those on board a Fairey Huntsman 28’ motorboat named Here and Now, located to the east of the mouth of Lymington River.

The volunteer lifeboat crew quickly reached the stricken vessel, which was already under tow by the Lymington lifeboat with those on board having been safely transferred to another vessel.

Towed back to Lymington
Escorted by the Yarmouth lifeboat, the damaged motorboat was towed back into Lymington by the Lymington lifeboat and checked over by the awaiting fire brigade before being strapped alongside the Yarmouth lifeboat so that her salvage pump could be used to pump out all the residual water.

The motorboat was then immediately lifted out of the water by Lymington Yacht Haven to prevent her from sinking as a result of the damage sustained in the fire.

Starred in Bond film ‘From Russia with Love’
Paul Fairall, owner of Southampton based Here and Now for the last thirty years, revealed to the Yarmouth RNLI that the boat had an illustrious past, having featured in a boat chase in the Bond film ‘From Russia with Love’ in 1963 and having won a prize in the 1962 Cowes Torquay Powerboat Race.

Support the RNLI
The RNLI, the charity that saves lives at sea, relies on donations from the public to fund its lifesaving activities.

If you would like to support your local lifeboat station, lifeboat tours can be booked through the RNLI’s Yarmouth Shop every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the Summer holidays, please telephone the shop on 01983 761345.

In addition, during Yarmouth Carnival Week, there will also be a demonstration off Yarmouth with the Search & Rescue helicopter at 7.00pm on Friday 21st August.

Visit the Website for more information.

Image: © RNLI/Yarmouth