Swanage lifeboat and volunteer crew launched last night after the UK coastguard received an urgency ‘Pan Pan’ VHF radio call from a yacht in difficulty at St Albans Head. The yacht was making heavy going in the tidal race and had taken on some water.

The Shannon class lifeboat launched and made good progress to the yacht’s reported position, arriving at St Albans Head a little before 11.30pm. Communications with the yacht were poor as their main radio had failed, but the lifeboat’s direction-finding equipment was used to narrow down the casualty’s position.

The yacht had managed to make the shelter of Chapmans Pool and had anchored safely. The lifeboat came alongside to discuss next steps with the skipper – who was happy with the situation and for their crew to remain on board for the night to progress their passage in the morning.

The UK coastguard were informed, who then released the lifeboat to return to station. The passage home was uneventful and after washing down and re-fuelling the lifeboat and crew were ready for further service at 12.40am.