Thanks to Richard for this report from Yarmouth RNLI. Ed
The Yarmouth RNLI all-weather lifeboat was called to assist a 22ft yacht, White Osbeat, in distress off Hengistbury Head in Christchurch Bay north west of the Needles last Thursday morning (10 December).
At the time, the weather was atrocious. The south westerly wind was gusting 35 knots (force 7) and the visibility was very poor.
The lifeboat Coxswain described the sea as ‘very rough’.
Serious rigging failure
The yacht had a serious rigging failure and was in danger of losing her mast.
The two crew members raised the alarm and the Yarmouth RNLI lifeboat was soon on the scene and took the yacht in tow.
It took two hours to bring the yacht to safety due to the weather conditions. No one was hurt.
Image: © RNLI/Richard Heming
