Redcar RNLI Rescues Yacht Drifting Towards Rocks Near East Scar

A Redcar RNLI volunteer prevented a likely disaster. It happened on Friday, February 7. He saw a yacht moving toward dangerous rocks. He used his fast thinking skills and local knowledge.

Mike Picknett is the Lifeboat Operations Manager. At 11:52 am, he spotted the yacht struggling against rough ocean conditions. It drifted toward East Scar, a rocky area near Redcar, where waves crashed over the yacht’s deck.

Mike realized the yacht faced a big problem and immediately called HM Coastguard for help. Redcar RNLI then sent their Atlantic 85 lifeboat, called Leicester Challenge III. The lifeboat got there just in time.

The yacht traveled from Hartlepool to Whitby. The weather worsened quickly along the way. They had force 5 easterly winds and waves reached three meters high. Conditions were forecast to get even worse.

Nathan Hobday, the lifeboat Helm, explained they reached it just in time, stating, “They wouldn’t have made it.” He put a volunteer crew member on board to help guide the yacht to safety. They then advised the yacht to go back to Hartlepool, which it did directly.

Mike explained that they train for these rescues, and their knowledge really helped. He believes their actions stopped the yacht from wrecking. Mike advised calling 999 for help when needed and asking for the coastguard.