Lifeboat Crew paged at 19:27 for immediate ALB launch.

The Royal Shipwright launched at 19.40 to go to the aid of the 10M Bermudan sloop HYDRA, without power and 17 miles NE of Cromer with 4 POB.

As the lifeboat approached the casualties position the crew made ready to go alongside and assess the situation. After talking to the skipper, station Mechanic Paul Watling, was transferred to the sloop to inspect their engine. Due to a fuel starvation problem and very little wind for her sails, it was decided that it would be best to begin towing the vessel towards Great Yarmouth due to the amount of traffic in the area.

A tow line was passed to the sloop and made secure to the bridle already set up by the skipper and the journey began at 21:05. With the lifeboat crew keeping watch on the traffic, using the Radar to track nearby vessels and where necessary make a slight deviation in course to avoid collision.

Travelling at 8 knots and having approximately 30 miles to travel, it was going to be a long night! 

Always keeping an eye on the situation Coxswain Ady Barker, on his first shout 'in charge', made a small adjustment to the length of the tow to take out the spring in the line and improve the ride for those aboard the casualty vessel.

Approaching the North Haisborough Buoy with the tide changing the speed of the tow decreased to approximately 4.5 knots.

While under tow Paul Watling was able to make sufficient repairs to the fuel system aboard the casualty vessel to enable the HYDRA to run her engine long enough to berth under her own steam.

At 02:50 the lifeboat and casualty vessel made their final course change and headed for Gt. Yarmouth Harbour entrance, manoeuvring carefully up the river arriving at the Town Quay at 03:35.

With the casualty vessel safely berthed the lifeboat crew stowed away all the gear used and turned for home leaving the Harbour entrance at 04:05 watching the sunrise. All were safe and the job was done. All in all a good job!

At 06:30 when the Royal Shipwright landed back on the East beach at Cromer the shore crew did an excellent job recovering the lifeboat back onto her carriage with very little beach to work on. 

After re-fuelling, washing down and restocking the food on the lifeboat she was ready for service again at around 07:25. 

All the crew then enjoyed a well earned fried breakfast at the Lifeboat Café on the promenade.

Crew on Board

A Barker (Coxswain)

P Watling

G Nichols

A Lincoln

I Chambers

N Lowe

Shore Crew

J Stuart (Tractor Driver)

C Davies (L & R)

G Stallard (L & R)

P Russell (L & R)

R Annis (L & R)

P Stibbons (L & R)

R Jackson (L)

J Davies (R)

R Leeds (R)

M Brown (R)

M Steward (R)

K Forden (R)

R Kirk (R)

Click Here to see some video footage