The vessel had been on its way into Looe and its skipper contacted the harbourmaster to say they were having steering problems and drifting in the strong offshore wind, around a mile and a half out of thr harbour.
Lifeboat operations manager Dave Haines initially went out in his own boat to offer assistance, but with the yacht’s rudder stuck hard to port, made little headway, and the lifeboat crew were mobilised to help.
’Our crew pagers sounded at 12.49 pm and shortly after the Atlantic 85 helmed by Matt Jaycock with crew Clive Palfrey, Victoria Thomas and Aaron Rix headed out of the river,’ said an RNLI spokesperson.
’ Arriving on scene the crew took over the tow from Dave Haines and made their way back to Looe. As they approached Looe our crew were concerned about manoeuvring the yacht with a disabled rudder into the narrow river entrance, so they requested the assistance of Looe’s D Class inshore lifeboat. Helm Brian Bowdler with crew Jack Spree and Alastair Pearn launched the Ollie Naismith to assist. Both inshore lifeboats took the yacht to a mooring on West Looe Quayside from where the rudder could be inspected.
’With the casualty yacht safely moored, both lifeboats returned to station where they were cleaned, washed down and refuelled ready for their next service.
’Shore crew were head launcher Nick Pope, with tractor drivers Paul Barley and Eric Candy.’