A Mayday call was received by HM Coastguard at 8:42am on June 20 because a vessel and skipper required assistance. RNLI Hastings lifeboat was tasked to go to the scene. When they arrived the Mayday was cancelled and HM Coastguard requested that RNLI Rye Harbour attend to the yacht as there was not enough water in the river Rother for the Hastings lifeboat to tow the casualty vessel to safety.
RNLI Rye Harbour Lifeboat Station were tasked at 9:43am. The Atlantic '85 from Rye Harbour towed the 29 foot yacht, a Snapdragon, safely into the harbour and secured it alongside the catwalk. The casualty, a young male was taken to the lifeboat crew room and given a warm drink and was asked if he needed medical attention. He declined saying he was fine and he thanked the crew for rescuing him: "It was great to see the orange boats arriving and I knew that I was in safe hands. They were kind and professional, I can't thank them enough."
Video of the RNLI towing the yacht:
