Sailing Vessel Dismasted And Drifting Off Lynton, U.K.

At 14.05 BST, Wednesday, Swansea Coastguard received a Mayday from a French sailing vessel reporting that they had dismasted and were now drifting two miles North of Lynton in North Devon.

Swansea Coastguard made contact with the 6.5 meter French sailing vessel, the ‘Capmonde’, however, communications were initially very poor and they were unable to ascertain an exact location for the disabled vessel. In an effort to pinpoint the vessel’s location they tasked Lynmouth Coastguard Rescue Team and Exmoor Sector Manager to a vantage point at the Valley of the Rocks. RAF helicopter 169 was also scrambled from RAF Chivenor to assist in the search for the vessel, and Ilfracombe RNLI All Weather Lifeboat was requested to launch to undertake the rescue once the vessel was sighted.

Lynmouth Coastguard Rescue Team were first on scene and spotted the vessel from the cliff top. The helicopter subsequently arrived and made contact with the vessel, establishing that both French nationals on board were safe and well. Once the lifeboat arrived on scene they took the vessel under tow, with the intention to take it to Swansea.

Steve Matthews, Swansea Watch Manager said:

“Currently the vessel is under tow by the Ilfracombe All Weather Lifeboat, however the tow will shortly be intercepted by the Mumbles Lifeboat who will take them into Swansea.

This incident clearly highlights the importance of carrying a Marine Band VHF Radio whenever you are out at sea. The casualty vessel was able to broadcast a Distress Message on CH16 in an area where mobile phone coverage is not very reliable, and they otherwise might have not been able to call for help.”

Source: Maritime And Coastguard Agency

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