Stranded yacht rescued from rough seas off Portland Bill

The skipper was injured

Author: Maria GreenwoodPublished 19th Feb 2024

Weymouth Lifeboat has been involved in the rescue of an injured man on board a yacht, stranded off Portland Bill.

The crew were called out on Saturday night after the skipper sustained a back injury when the boat suffered engine failure during rough seas and strong winds.

A spokesperson for Weymouth Lifeboat said:

"It was reported to our duty launch authority that the vessel, which was on route from Salcombe to Poole, had suffered an engine failure before then losing their foresail while in the race off the Portland Bill.

"Compounding matters the skipper had gone forward to sort the foresail but had slipped on deck injuring their back.

"Our volunteer crew aboard the Duke of Kent, arrived on scene at 19:15, in strong (40kts) SW winds and a very rough sea state.

"Having assessed that the persons aboard were able to proceed, they established a tow and brought the casualty vessel into Weymouth harbour, arriving at 8.50pm where they were met by Southwest Ambulance and coastguard crews."

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