RNLI rescues trio on stranded dinghy in busy weekend for callouts

Monday, 5 August 2024 07:42

Jersey's RNLI rescued three people stranded on a north coast beach in a small dinghy during a busy weekend for the lifesaving charity.

The St Catherine crew was called to recover the trio from a bay between Greve de Lecq and Devil's Hole on Saturday afternoon (3 August).

They towed the dinghy before transferring the three people to the Inshore Lifeboat.

A short time earlier, the St Helier crew had been sent to help a sailing boat six miles southwest of Corbiere that had tarpaulin stuck on its rudder and propeller.

It was towed back to St Helier.

Saturday had started with a 8.55am callout for the St Catherine lifeboat to reports of a drifting vessel north of the Ecrehous. The empty boat had broken free from its mooring. It was towed to a nearby visitor mooring.

Both the St Helier and St Catherine crew had also been providing safety cover for the Sark to Jersey rowing race.

A final call for the RNLI came on Sunday morning, with the St Catherine crew asked to respond to a mayday call seven miles north of the Ecrehous.

As they prepared to launch, it was determined by the Coastguard that there was no vessel in distress and the crew was stood down.

With more people taking to the water during the summer season, RNLI Jersey is reminding everyone of the importance of boating safety:

"Always ensure your vessel is properly secured to its mooring, carry the necessary safety equipment, and have a means of communication in case of emergencies. Remember, in the event of a problem, it’s better to call for assistance early rather than waiting until the situation worsens."