CREW RESCUED AS YACHT BEACHES
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Thursday, September 04, 2008
Four crew have been rescued by Coastguards after their yacht suffered engine and steering failure in 40 knot winds and was driven onto Weymouth Beach.
At 12.20 am the skipper of the 38 foot yacht Steady Barker contacted Portland Coastguard to report engine failure outside Weymouth Harbour.
The wind was blowing from the South West at 40 knots and the crew of four were under stress, with two of them suffering from sea-sickness in the robust conditions.
Within minutes the situation deteriorated further as the vessels sails ripped and the steering failed.
Weymouth RNLI Lifeboats had been requested to launch but they were unable to close with the yacht as it was driven into the shallow water off Weymouth Beach.
Wyke Coastguard Rescue Team had been alerted earlier to help locate the vessel. As the yacht was driven up the beach the crew fired distress flares which were seen and reported on 999 calls from throughout Weymouth.
The Wyke Coastguards then assisted the crew to wade ashore as the yacht was driven fully up the beach, where it now lies.
The four crew are now resting safe ashore and uninjured, having been found accomodation by the Coastguard. The condition of the yacht is unknown, although it has been secured by the Coastguard Rescue Team and will be assessed in daylight. High Water will be at 0930 in the morning but one cannot tell at this stage if the weather will allow refloating.