Vessel goes aground on rocks at Broad Ledge

Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat was launched yesterday (Sunday) after two vessels from the town’s sailing club capsised in rough seas to the east of the harbour.

It’s understood that the club’s safety RIB – rigid inflatable boat – with two people aboard overturned as it went to the assistance of one person aboard a dinghy, which also capsized. All three reached shore safely.

The incidents happened close to rocks known as Broad Ledge at about 11.20am

The alarm was raised by people ashore including the RNLI’s volunteer Community Safety Officer Richard Finch who saw people waving in the Broad Ledge area.

The dinghy reached shore, but the safety boat was stuck on rocks. Because the tide was still dropping the lifeboat crew were unable to reach the RIB, but coastguards and lifeboat crew members were later attempting to right the RIB.

After the RIB was righted it was anchored until later in the afternoon when the lifeboat was launched again at 3.15pm. to tow the safety boat into harbour in difficult sea conditions with an estimated eight foot swell. The lifeboat crew returned to harbour at 4.15pm