A Burnham-On-Sea RNLI lifeboat was called out to rescue a drifting yacht on Tuesday evening (April 29th) after it lost power.
The 25ft sailing yacht, called Jaffa, had been sailing from Ilfracombe to Weston when it developed a technical fault several miles off Hinkley Point in the Bristol Channel.
Burnham’s pilot boat, which was nearby at high tide, initially helped the yacht and the RNLI’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Doris Day and Brian, was subsequently called at 8.24pm, towing it to the moorings at Burnham Sailing Club.
Talking to Burnham-On-Sea.com, the yacht owner Ian Button said: “I lost all power after air had got into the fuel system.”
”I’d been drifting for some time on the high tide so was grateful for the tow into Burnham. I hope to get the problem fixed and sail on to Weston, my home mooring.”
An RNLI spokesman said: “Milford Haven Coastguard control paged Burnham-On-Sea RNLI crews at 8.24pm after the yacht reported engine failure in the Bristol Channel shortly before high water. Luckily for the yacht’s crew, the pilot boat was at sea, and had taken them in tow.”
“The pilot boat was proceeding well, but being on duty tonight, the lifeboat volunteers needed to take over the tow.”
Lifeboat helmsman Ashley Chappell added: “The casualty yacht was well equipped but had experienced engine failure in the approaches to Burnham. We took over the tow and delivered them to the security of the sailing club pontoons in the River Brue.”
“Once the craft was safely moored, we returned the lifeboat to Burnham town slip for recovery to the lifeboat station, for a wash-down, and refuelling.”
