On Saturday, September 12, an incident occurred near the Queen’s Channel in the River Mersey, a bustling area frequented by commercial vessels and ferries. A pilot vessel passing by raised the alarm, leading HM Coastguard to call for immediate support from the RNLI teams.
The New Brighton RNLI’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat, Charles Dibdin, was dispatched at 10:34 AM and was the first to arrive on the scene. The volunteer crew discovered a yacht that appeared uncrewed, likely having broken free from its moorings. Shortly after, the Hoylake RNLI’s Shannon class all-weather lifeboat, Edmund Hawthorn Micklewood, was tasked to assist at 11:01 AM, and both crews evaluated the situation several miles offshore.
The drifting yacht posed a significant risk to other vessels in the area. After consulting with HM Coastguard, it was determined that towing the yacht back to its moorings at Tranmere was the safest course of action. A New Brighton RNLI crew member boarded the Hoylake lifeboat and then transferred to the yacht to monitor the towline as they faced challenging sea conditions with swells reaching around three meters.
Despite the difficult conditions, Hoylake RNLI proceeded cautiously towards Tranmere, with New Brighton RNLI providing an escort. Once the yacht was secured at Tranmere, both lifeboats were stood down by HM Coastguard. Matthew Pownall-Jones, coxswain at Hoylake RNLI, commended the volunteers for their professionalism and highlighted the RNLI’s commitment to rescuing those in danger at sea.
