Whitby and Staithes lifeboats launched to rescue yacht

Volunteer lifeboat crew from Whitby and Staithes RNLI were both at sea for nearly three hours last night as they sped to help a yacht in trouble.

The alarm was raised at 7.30pm after the 10m yacht reported engine problems near Boulby cliffs between Staithes and Skinningrove.

With a westerly wind rising to Force 7 there were fears that the vessel with four adults and a child aboard could be driven onto the rocks.

Humber Coastguard requested launches at both Whitby and Staithes RNLI stations and although the yacht regained power there were concerns that she would face steering difficulties so both volunteer crews were tasked to escort her to her base in Hartlepool, where she was docked safely.

Another vessel the DVS Curtis Marshall also assisted with the initial search for the yacht. The diving team had been working on repairs to the underwater pipe for Boulby potash mine. The crew spotted the yacht on their passage back to Hartlepool and updated the RNLI with its location