RNLI battle gale force winds to recue yacht near Lowestoft

The two sailors aboard the 42ft vessel had been at sea twice as long as expected as they returned to the UK from Den Helder in the Netherlands. 

The sailors were battling gale force winds of 35 knots and up to three metre sea swell when the mainsail rope wrapped around the mast meaning the sail could not be raised.

Lowestoft RNLI relief lifeboat Eric's Legend was called just before midday to help the stranded yacht as the crew returned from completing a two-hour exercise.

The mainsail could not be raised (Image: Lowestoft RNLI) READ MORE: Investigation begins after factory fire covers town in smoke

Coxswain John Fox said: "The location of the vessel, 33 nautical miles from Lowestoft, had been pinpointed by a coastguard aircraft that happened to be in the area.

"When we reached the yacht the sailors were grateful to see us and told us that as well as the problem with the mainsail, they were also running low on fuel as their engine had been working overtime.

"We assessed the situation and decided the safest way to assist the sailors was to tow the yacht back to Lowestoft."

It took six hours to safely tow the vessel back to shore meaning the crew were on the rescue callout for more than eight hours. 

The sailors moored in the Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club Marina at 8.45pm and were met by the Lowestoft Coastguard Rescue Team nearly 48 hours after they began their trip across the North Sea.