Sailor rescued from Winchelsea Beach after running aground

A sailor was rescued from Winchelsea Beach this afternoon by the Rye Bay and Hastings Coastguard Rescue Teams after his vessel ran aground.

At 16:00 today the sailor informed the Coastguard that the engines on his newly purchased boat had failed and that he was taking on water. The RNLI inshore lifeboat based at Rye Bay and the RNLI all-weather lifeboat based at Hastings were sent to help him. Unfortunately the anchor of the Colvic motorboat failed to hold the boat in today’s rough seas and he was driven on to the beach from where the sailor was rescued. The 20ft boat is now secured to the beach.

UK Coastguard Frank O’Neill said;

“This sailor must regret his decision to move his new boat from Newhaven to Dover today. Unfortunately the weather was against him and it’s a timely reminder for us all to always check the weather and tidal conditions before you set out and prepare accordingly.


“Despite his bad luck with the engine he was well prepared and was able to make a call to ask for help. Without these preparations and a working vhf radio he may not have lived to tell the tale.”

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