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Yacht rescue of Scilly


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Thank you.  For a while there I thought I was missing some spectacular clever technique.  Turns out I was watching video that shows even the professionals get it wrong.

At the very least, something to keep the towed vessel's bum pointed at the following sea would have been useful.  Parachute, trailing warp, anything....

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Yes, throttle control on the lifeboat to try to keep some tension in the tow line, and a drouge would have helped for sure. Worst case is this happens, and the boat rolls, wrapping the tow line around the rig... :-(  

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27 minutes ago, Fogg said:

Not what I’d have expected from the RNLI.

Btw it’s Isles of “Scilly” (SW England) not “Sicily” (Italy).

Assume they were towing to mainland in which case a long tow in those conditions. Don’t think there are any sheltered ports in Isles of Scilly - quite exposed there .

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1 hour ago, 1paulg said:

Assume they were towing to mainland in which case a long tow in those conditions. Don’t think there are any sheltered ports in Isles of Scilly - quite exposed there .

There are a few but it’s an intricate set of islets often requiring a long trip around the other side to find shelter. A bit like being caught out wrong side of the Mercs in a big blow and needing to get to other side in a hurry 

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I've sailed around there a bit. While the video looks bad, I don't think the criticism of the lifeboat crew is warranted. I've not got the details, but I am assuming this is recent, and its most likely the swell is from ex Hurrican Epsilon. That is the same one that IT posted about causing 30 m high waves record off Ireland (which is rather close to the Isles of Scilly). And which all the big waves surfers are chasing up and down the western European coast. Once in a lifetime waves etc...

The area is the Western Approaches to the English Channel. Its where you come onto soundings. So the big Atlantic swells start sitting up, getting steep and causing mayhem. And there are rocks and shoals and more rocks all over the place there. No safe harbours, esp in that swell. Closest safe harbour is probably Falmouth.

Personally, I'm buggered if I know how a lifeboat can get a line onto a yacht in those conditions. But they did. But for the yacht to put a drag (or anything) out to stop it broaching around would need someone on the yacht that is not already incapacitated. If the yacht has been trying to go anywhere in those conditions, I'd image the crew is already buggered. hence the need for assistance. By the sea state, doing very much at all on that yacht would be challenging i'd think.

Be interesting to know the rest of the story.

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Shout 9 for 2020.
31st Oct 2020.
At 0510 the lifeboat was tasked to go to the assistance of a 34 foot yacht with one person onboard ,who had issued a Mayday 6nm SSW of the Islands.
Also tasked was R924 from newquay who remained overhead during the tow into the lee of the islands.
The yacht had been knocked down and overcome with heavy breaking seas,and with the severe gale force winds had no control of the vessel to make headway.
Once on scene the lifeboat assessed the options and after discussions over the VHF with the sailor ,the best way to get him to safety was to tow the yacht into St Marys.
After several attempts to get close to the yacht as it was being blown sideways in force 9 winds ,coupled with waves flattening the yacht on her side , the tow was passed and successfully secured.
Once the lifeboat reached the shelter of the islands the tow was shortened to gain a little more control after which instructions were passed to release the tow line.
During this release the yacht managed to run over the tow and get a wrap in its stern gear , however some quick thinking and it was cut away and freed.
The yacht was then escorted into the safety of the harbour and with the help of the duchy staff secured alongside.
Crew: Pete Hicks , Chris Jenkins , Kevin Sherris , Paul Smith , Andrew Hicks , Truan Hicks.
AIS Track Credit Marine Traffic.
Part of the tow in is caught on video which for some reason has posted separate to this post.
The yachtsman must be commended for remaining calm and capable for what must of been a frightening experience.
 
 
So they did tow into St Mary's. Did shorten the tow for more control when they could, but also fouled the yachts stern gear...
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