PUTFORD VOYAGER

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Offshore tug assisted distressed German yachties

The "Putford Voyager" assisted in a rescue operation of the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston all-weather (ALB) lifeboat "Samarbeta" which was launched on Aug 2, 2017, at 5 p.m. to the nine metre yacht "Nautilus" with two people onboard, which had suffered engine failure while tackling severe weather conditions on its voyage from the Netherlands to the UK. With 30 knot winds, a following sea, a wave height of 3.5-4m and force 8 winds, it was heavy going to reach the yacht’s position 25 nautical miles north east of Cromer. On the way to the scene further reports came in that a commercial vessel, the "Arco Breeze", had a visual on the yacht and also the "Putford Voyager" diverted to the Mayday call and was close to the "Nautilus". Once it reached the scene the "Putford Voyager" launched its rigid inflatable boat to go alongside the yacht and make it safe. There were no injuries to the two sailors apart from them being very fatigued. A tow was then established from the "Putford Voyager" to the yacht and it proceeded in a southerly direction to meet the lifeboat. Once the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston lifeboat was on the scene it took control of operations and took over the tow of the distressed yacht, from the "Putford Voyager". The offshore tug then gave space to the lifeboat and yacht but stood by until Humber Coastguard told the crew of the "Putford Voyager" they could continue on their voyage to the Leman Gas Field. The lifeboat proceeded with the yacht in tow, and battling heavy winds and sea conditions, to Great Yarmouth. Once the lifeboat arrived the local coastguard team from Gorleston were on the scene to liaise with the yacht which was being sailed by a father and son from Germany, check on their welfare, assess the yacht for damage and assist the lifeboat to safely moor up In total it turned out to be an eleven hour operation, with the volunteer crew of the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston lifeboat not returning to station until almost 3 a.m. on Aug 3.