Grounded yacht destroyed on Milford beach after Lymington RNLI lifeboat crew abandon towing it to safety
The remains of a yacht were strewn across Milford beach after being wrecked running aground.
RNLI rescuers were forced to abandon efforts to tow it to safety following a call-out for assistance when it was about 40 metres from the rocky shoreline shortly after 1pm last Friday.
Although anchored, it was already bouncing on the bottom by the time they arrived, along with a Lymington Coastguard rescue team (CRT) who helped from the beach.
Lifeboat helm Phil Baker said the incident posed several challenges: “We assessed the options and with the depth available, proximity to the rocks and the position of the casualty vessel’s anchor chain, we decided that putting a crew member on board was unsafe.”
The lifeboat crew attached a towline to the stricken craft, which had one sailor on board.
However, its anchor was fouled on the rocks below and the sailor was unable to release it.
As a result, the rescuers’ options were limited and, after holding position for as long as possible, the towline was cut.
The yacht then turned side-on to the weather and grounded heavily.
As it was now just metres from the water’s edge, the coastguard team waded to the vessel and rescued its occupant, who was brought up the beach to safety.
Mr Baker continued: “Our responsibility as lifeboat crew is to ensure the safety of our people and our boat first and foremost.
“Saving lives at sea is the goal and if we can deliver casualty vessels to safe haven, we will endeavour to do so.
“In this case, we were unable to safely tow the vessel away from the rocks and it did sadly founder.”
He added: “Our thanks to Lymington CRT for another, successful multi-agency rescue.”
Several onlookers shared pictures and videos of the incident and the aftermath online.
Posting a video of the incident, one wrote: “The poor man was trying his utmost to save it whilst I was there. Obviously lost the battle.”
Another commented: “Such a shame and a big loss for the owner. Power of the sea is immense.”
The yacht was extensively damaged by this morning (Monday), when it remained up on the beach, near the Needle’s Eye Café.
The A&T has contacted Lymington Coastguard for comment.
