MINHEAD’S lifeboat was dispatched to rescue people from a yacht which was ‘dangerously’ close to rocks in the Bristol Channel.

Minehead RNLI’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat was launched after a call for help from HM Coast Guard at 11.24 p.m. on Saturday, August 24,

People on shore reported seeing an unlit sailing vessel near Watchet Harbour, with the occupants shouting for help and in a dangerous position just 150 metres from the rocky entrance.

The volunteer crew quickly launched and headed towards Watchet. The conditions on the scene were difficult, with a significant Force 4 swell due to a strong westerly wind and a high spring tide.

Despite the challenging conditions and poor visibility, the crew attached a tow line to the 30-foot vessel within 14 minutes of launch and towed it to a safe mooring within the harbour.

Both individuals on board were safe though shocked. They had sailed from Ilfracombe and lost power near Watchet, which rendered their onboard radio inoperative. 

This marked Ross Hartgen’s first shout as a newly-revalidated Helm.

Ross said: “This was a challenging rescue due to conditions on scene but the training of the crew was key. It was fortunate that people on the shore were able to raise the alarm.”