News release
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea
Date: 25/10/2009	Rye Harbour 027 2009

Fishing vessel suffering steering failure and washing to shore

Rye Harbour RNLI relief Lifeboat B762 'Jack & Joyce Burcombe' launched today (sunday 25 October) at 2.40pm to a 25ft fishing vessel 'Jacqueline Ann' a quarter mile east of Jury's Gap look out tower suffering from steering failure. The skipper of the 'Jacqueline Ann' contacted Dover Coastguard requesting assistance as their anchor was dragging and they were drifting towards the shore.

RNLI Lifeboat B762 arrived along side the casualty at 2.55pm and took the casualty in tow. At 3.05pm they were on their way back to harbour. The 'Jacqueline Ann' was put back on her mooring at 4pm and the RNLI Lifeboat B762 arrived back at station 5 minutes later.

Andrew Tollett, RNLI Deputy Launching Authority for Rye Harbour RNLI Lifeboat Station, said: ‘This was a straight forward, text book tow. This is due to the crew spending many hours training for such an incident. As we all know, even the best prepared can run into unexpected problems. With this in mind, the RNLI has produced a range of safety information designed to help users stay safe. For more information visit www.rnli.org.uk/seasafety .’

‘20 fishermen perish annually in British waters, that's why the RNLI have developed MOB Guardian - an automated alert system that can help take the Search our of Search and Rescue’.

Notes to editors

• Photo: 091025-001JH.jpg courtesy Jim Howdle
• Photos: courtesy RNLI Rye Harbour / Tony Peters
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• Rye Harbour lifeboat station was established in 1803 operating up until 1928 when it closed following the Mary Stanford Lifeboat Disaster. The Current lifeboat station was re-established in 1966 and is still in operation today. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to www.rnli.org.uk/ryeharbour

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Steve, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at news@ryeharbourlifeboat.co.uk or Tim Ash, Deputy Media Relations Manager South East and London on 07785 296252 or tash@rnli.org.uk or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789

RNLI online
For more information on the RNLI please visit www.rnli.org.uk. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI Press Centre www.rnli.org.uk/press

Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 100 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 137,000 lives.

A charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SCO37736). Charity number CHY 2678 in the Republic of Ireland