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By Graham Tutthill

Dover lifeboat crew rescued a lone yachtsman who got into
difficulties in strong winds in the English Channel.

The lifeboat was launched after the German yachtsman, sailing
single-handedly from Ramsgate to Brighton, encountered rough
weather and realised the yacht's small auxiliary engine would not
be capable of safely powering him into Dover Harbour.

With Coxswain Stuart Richardson in charge, the lifeboat crew
went to the aid of the boat eight miles west of Dover.

A member of the lifeboat’s volunteer crew was transferred to the
yacht to help the owner. The Coxswain was then able to manoeuvre
the lifeboat close to the yacht to allow a tow line to be passed
and secured. The yacht was then towed to Dover where it was safely
moored in the marina.

"The yachtsman was overwhelmed by the weather conditions and
exhausted after battling against the 40-knot gale-force winds,"
said Mr Richardson.

"The sea conditions made it quite tricky to position the
lifeboat close enough to safely transfer my crew member to the
yacht and then to pass the tow line. I’d always advise small boat
owners to get an up to date local weather forecast before setting
out. "