Eastbourne all-weather lifeboat responded to calls for help last Saturday afternoon from a visiting Dutch yacht with two people on board which had suffered a mechanical breakdown
The crew aboard the 42ft vessel reported to Dover Coastguard that they were experiencing engine problems on the approaches to Sovereign Harbour and needed assistance. The rescue co-ordination centre at Dover Coastguard requested the launch of Eastbourne’s lifeboat. The original position of the casualty was given as approximately 8 miles east of the harbour but sailing at 7 knots the interception point was actually some 5 miles from the entrance channel. The vessel was taken under tow and transferred to the waiting marina work boat in the outer harbour.
