Vessel 'drifting precariously close to shore' rescued in Weymouth

Weymouth Lifeboat crew was carrying out routine training near Sandsfoot as it was called to the incident yesterday evening (April 11).

The large catamaran vessel, which was registered in the US, was found to be dragging its anchor and down on one engine.

A dragging anchor means the ship drifts without holding power even though it has been anchored, and can lead to collisions and other incidents.

Rescue teams said the boat was 'drifting precariously close' to shore near Sandsfoot, with the vessel taken under tow back to Weymouth Harbour where it was secured and met by members of Wyke Regis Coastguard.

"Whilst on routine training, Weymouth Lifeboat had been tasked to assist a 52 foot catamaran that was dragging its anchor and was down on one engine," the coastguard said.

"With the vessel drifting precariously close to shore near Sandsfoot, Weymouth ALB immediately took it under tow and proceeded to bring it back to Weymouth Harbour.

"When at Weymouth, the US registered vessel was bought alongside where it was met by members of Wyke [coastguard rescue]. The yacht was then secured and details were obtained."

The incident came just after the coastguard attended reports of 'abandoned kite surfing gear' in Weymouth.

This call came in at about 7.39pm near the Jubilee Clock Tower but when teams arrived, they found out the item was a collapsed tent and not a kite.

"The team was paged to reports of abandoned kite surfing gear near to the Jubilee Clock," Wyke Coastguard said.

A tent was mistaken for abandoned kite surfing equipment (Image: Wyke Regis Coastguard)

"When the first team members arrived the item was quickly identified as a collapsed tent, not a kite.

"With this news, the tent was secured, and the rest of the team were stood down en-route."