LIFEBOAT crews last night carried out a “fast-paced” rescue of eight people who were onboard a French yacht that struck rocks near the Harbour.
The RNLI’s St Helier all-weather and inshore lifeboats, as well as the Jersey Lifeboat Association’s inshore lifeboat, were tasked around 9.30pm to assist the vessel.
The yacht had drifted onto a rock behind the La Collette reclamation site after a rope became entangled with its propeller.
Lifeboat crews were able to get the casualties – some of who were in a life-raft and some were on the rocks – to safety, supported by shore crew, Jersey Coastguard and the Ambulance Service.
In a post on Facebook, an RNLI spokesperson wrote: “The proximity of the incident to the Harbour meant this was a fast-paced rescue, but the exceptional training and teamwork of our crews ensured it was executed efficiently.
“All casualties from the sailing vessel were assessed at the lifeboat station, with a few taken to the hospital for precautionary checks. Jersey Coastguard kindly arranged a hotel for the night, and the sailing boat was recovered and hoisted out of the water in the early hours of the morning.”
They added: “We remind all mariners that lifejackets are essential safety equipment and should always be on board and readily accessible.”
A Ports of Jersey vessel recovered the grounded yacht just after 5am yesterday morning.
