Sailor suffering hypothermia rescued on Somerset coast

31 Jan 2023
Somersetlive

A sailor was forced to make a Mayday call for help after his boat started to take on water in the channel near Weston-super-Mare. Weston-super-Mare RNLI were called at 2pm on Sunday (January 29) after a Mayday call was received from a 17ft fishing boat with engine issues north of Sand Point.

Both of the RNLI inshore lifeboats were launched from Knightstone Harbour and made their way to the stricken sailor. The boat was quickly located and the man was safe, although cold.

A spokesman for Weston RNLI said: “With the possibility of water being taken on, the salvage pump was loaded onto the Atlantic 85 lifeboat. The shore crew quickly launched both of the charity's inshore lifeboats from Knightstone Harbour to make best speed to the casualty vessel.

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“The small boat was quickly located and it was established that the sole casualty onboard was safe, although cold.” The sailor was transferred to the lifeboat and the boat was towed back to Portishead Marina. The man was suffering from mild hypothermia and was handed to the Portishead Coastguard Rescue Team.

This was the second call out of the weekend for the Weston RNLI. Volunteers were also called just before 12.30pm on Friday (January 27) after a concerned member of the public thought they spotted a person clinging to an orange lifeboat buoy near Birnbeck Island.

The D class lifeboat was launched to search the area, but was stood down once it was established that there was nothing of concern. Anyone who spots someone in trouble along the coast should call 999 and ask for the coastguard.

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