Crew braves WWII defences to rescue grounded yacht

As the lifeboat approached an area of shallows known as the Grosvenor Skeers the wind increased to Force 7 and waves rose to an average 3.5m. The lifeboat reduced speed, but a wave of almost 5m caught her, tipping her up on her stern. Fortunately, she had enough momentum to carry her over the top of the wave and into the trough on the windward side. She continued on her way with no greater damage than a broken helmet visor. As the lifeboat travelled past the power station, the weather continued to worsen and there were several more times when she almost capsized.

'The six-mile journey to the casualty was very uncomfortable and dangerous.' Helmsman Harry Roberts About a mile south of Heysham, Paul spotted the yacht hard aground in 2m of water. Harry realised that there was very little the inshorelifeboat could do other than take off the crew, which he was reluctant to do while the yacht was weathering the storm. He was also concerned about World War II sea defences. The coastline around there is riddled with old defences, including 5m invasion stakes, and they would make short work of the D class if she came across them.

Teamwork saves the day Harry requested back up from the Fleetwood Tyne class lifeboat William Street The all-weather lifeboat reached the scene after about 30 minutes and closed to within 150m of the yacht. She could not approach any closer because of the shallow water, so the inshore lifeboat was called across to pass the towline to the casualty. The crew quickly passed the tow to the yacht's crew to make fast.

The yacht remained firmly grounded for another 20 minutes until it was refloated close to high water, with the all-weather lifeboat using maximum power. Once the tow was under way, the inshore lifeboat transferred a crew member from the all-weather lifeboat to the yacht. The yacht was then towed safely to Fleetwood. The inshore lifeboat made its way by sea to Heysham Harbour and then by road back to Morecambe.

'This was the most difficult and dangerous rescue I have been on in 15 years as a member of the lifeboat crew.' jb Helmsman Harry Roberts.