Eight people rescued from grounded French yacht near Harbour

Wednesday 22 May 2024

A “fast-paced” rescue of eight people who were aboard a French yacht that became grounded near the Harbour was conducted by lifeboat crews last night.

The St Helier all-weather and inshore lifeboats, as well as the Jersey Lifeboat Association's inshore lifeboat, were tasked around 21:30 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. 

It had been carrying eight people onboard, including four children and infants.

RNLI crew 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 05:00 this morning.