The Flying Dutchman WHEN his 24-foot yacht Claesjenguy lost her rigging off Hastings on June 2, Mr P. W. Stoel, a Dutchman working for the BBC, had cause to be grateful for the services of three RNLI lifeboats.

Although he could no longer sail the craft, Mr Stoel was able to make some way through the rough seas with the aid of a small outboard engine.

However, the safety of boat and lone sailor were obviously both in doubt, so the Hastings ILB was launched to escort the Claesjenguy and offer assistance if needed.

It became clear that with a force 6 wind blowing from the south Mr Stoel would be able to continue his voyage to Folkestone only if escorted all the way.

The Hastings ILB saw him into Rye Bay where the Rye Harbour ILB immediately relieved her neighbouring rescue boat. The Rye Harbour ILB escorted Mr Stoel's disabled yacht for two hours as she laboriously crossed the bay.

In the meantime the lifeboat at Dungeness was also launched to take over from the Rye Harbour ILB. By the time the Dungeness lifeboat had arrived alongside the casualty to take over escort duties the tidal conditions made it necessary for the Rye Harbour ILB to beach at Camber Sands, where she was picked up—together with a cold, tired and soaking crew—by the Rye Harbour station's Land-Rover, and thus by road back to her station.

The Dungeness lifeboat saw Mr Stoel into Littlestone, where he refuelled, and it is understood he intended to continue his journey to Folkestone for refitting before crossing to Amsterdam..