Yacht Freed from Lobster Pot Snare: RNLI Looe Lifeboat Crew’s Quick Response

On 6th November 2024, a yacht in Looe Bay was immobilised after a rope from a string of lobster pots became tangled in its propeller. Responding promptly at 13:13, RNLI Looe Lifeboat Station launched a coordinated effort to assist the stranded vessel.

Responding to the Call

Upon receiving the alert, the RNLI duty launch authority activated the crew pagers, and the station’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Sheila and Dennis Tongue II, was readied for launch by the shore crew. Due to the low tide, the Talus MB-4H launch tractor transported the lifeboat downriver towards the Banjo Pier, where it launched and set out towards the yacht’s location.

Rescue Operations in Looe Bay

The lifeboat crew quickly arrived approximately two miles south of Looe, where they found a rope from lobster pots entwined with the yacht’s propeller, preventing it from moving. Skillfully positioning the lifeboat at the yacht’s stern, the crew used a boat hook to remove the rope.

To ensure safety, one crew member boarded the yacht to check for any signs of damage or water ingress, confirming the vessel’s ability to continue its journey. With the yacht secured, the lifeboat crew were then stood down and returned to the station.