Following a mobile phone call to the coxswain from the casualty, advising that the vessel was taking in water and was at the North end of Sark, the coxswain contacted Guernsey Coastguard and requested the lifeboat crew be alerted. Guernsey Coastguard having alerted the crew transmitted a Mayday Relay message, which was responded to by several local vessels. The nearest to the casualty Brecqhou Lass proceeded to the scene and stood by until relieved by the lifeboat. Guernsey Coastguard wishes to record their sincere thanks to those vessels which responded to the Mayday Relay message.

The lifeboat cleared St Peter Port harbour at 16:04 and was at the casualty by 16:19 at which point the Brecqhou Lass was released. Lifeboat crew boarded the casualty to assess the problem and a tow was established and the return to St Peter Port commenced at 16:26. It was soon apparent that the water ingress to the casualty was caused by one of its engines and the other was started, the tow released and the lifeboat started to escort the casualty to St Peter Port. Once it was apparent that the casualty was no longer in any danger and capable of proceeding independently the lifeboat returned to station arriving in St Peter Port at 17:25 and was refuelled and ready for service at 17:35.

The casualty arrived at St Peter Port at 17:31.

Guernsey Coastguard would like to take the opportunity to remind boat owners that mobile phones whilst are a useful last resort/ backup to VHF radio they should never be used instead of a VHF radio if the radio is in good working order, the use of a radio by a casualty enables all vessels in the area to be made aware of the situation and offer to assist if able to do so. It also allows for Guernsey Coastguard, the Lifeboat, Channel Islands Airsearch and others that have the ability to home in to the VHF signal.