Advertisement

Lifeboat crew called to fire on yacht with baby onboard over bank holiday weekend

The Random Harvest, pictured, towed the yacht back to Brighton Marina
The Random Harvest, pictured, towed the yacht back to Brighton Marina

LIFEBOAT crews were called to a yacht fire where a baby was onboard over the bank holiday weekend.

Brighton RNLI launched shortly after 2.30pm yesterday to attend the incident which saw the French-registered yacht’s engine catch fire over three miles southwest of the city.

The three-person crew onboard had managed to put the fire out before the RNLI boat, Random Harvest, had arrived.

The boat was towed the three-and-a-half-mile voyage north east where East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS) were waiting to ensure the boat was safe.

The Argus: The fire happened on Monday, May 2 at around 2.30pm. Pictures from RNLI
The Argus: The fire happened on Monday, May 2 at around 2.30pm. Pictures from RNLI

The fire happened on Monday, May 2 at around 2.30pm. Pictures from RNLI

Lifeboat operations manager Roger Cohen said: “Fortunately the yacht’s owner was able to extinguish the fire with onboard extinguishers. East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service attended to confirm the fire was out.

“Please ensure you have a suitable fire extinguisher on board that has been regularly serviced and a means of calling for assistance.

“Fires onboard can escalate rapidly and you should plan for an evacuation.”

It was the second call out of the weekend for the volunteer crew in Brighton, who have so far launched 22 times in 2022.

Conditions were good, with calm seas, light winds, and good visibility.

If you find yourself in an emergency situation or spot someone else in trouble, you should call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.