Yacht Rescued by Shoreham RNLI During Royal Escape Race

A yacht with a damaged engine was rescued by Shoreham RNLI lifeboat during the Royal Escape Race.

The incident occurred off the coast of Shoreham on Sunday night, involving two crew members struggling in adverse sea conditions.

The vessel, found half a mile offshore at Portslade, was experiencing difficulties due to a waterlogged engine in windy and rolling sea conditions. The Shoreham RNLI lifeboat promptly towed the yacht back to the Sussex Yacht Club in Shoreham. An RNLI spokesperson emphasised the importance of calling 999 and asking for the coastguard in such emergencies.

The Royal Escape Race is an annual event held every May, starting in 1977 to commemorate the Queen’s silver jubilee. It is one of the oldest offshore sailing races in the UK, tracing the historical route taken by King Charles II to the Normandy port of Fécamp following the Battle of Worcester in 1651.