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Dungeness lifeboat assists yacht anchored by lobster and whelk pots
10:00, 14 August 2020
updated: 10:26, 14 August 2020
The lifeboat came to the rescue after a yacht off the coast of Kent became entangled in lobster and whelk pots.
The Coastguard tasked Dungeness lifeboat to assist the 30 foot boat after it got anchored by the stern with a string of pots, two miles east of the RNLI station.
When the crew arrived they discovered two men on board, aged 84 and 89.
Two members of the team climbed on board the yacht and managed to grapple the pot line up and cut the vessel free from the tangled ropes and pots.
A tow was safely secured and the casualty was taken to Dover Harbour.
The two men on board were found to be safe and well.
Second coxswain Trevor Bunney said: "The two guys aboard the casualty were very appreciative of our help and it was jolly bad luck they got caught up with the pots.
"The eldest guy has been a shore-line member with the RNLI for 50 plus years."
The incident happened on Wednesday (August 12) at around 5pm.
The lifeboat later returned to the station, washed down, refuelled and made ready for service by 10pm.
Yesterday the Coastguard assisted in helping two swimmers who became stranded in the water at Dymchurch, also on Romney Marsh.
