At 3:15pm on Sunday 16th August 2026, Guernsey Coastguard was informed by Cross Jobourg Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), of a 7.5-metre rigid inflatable boat (RIB) that had suffered a mechanical breakdown approximately 42 miles west of Guernsey, with four people on board.

As the vessel was located within French search and rescue waters, Cross Jobourg MRCC retained overall coordination of the incident and requested assistance from Guernsey Coastguard. Following discussions between the two authorities, the RNLI’s All Weather Lifeboat (ALB) Spirit of Guernsey, was tasked at 4:00pm, to rendezvous with the broken down vessel and assess the situation on scene.

The lifeboat arrived on scene at 6:35pm and established communications with the casualty craft. All four occupants were reported to be safe and well, with no injuries or immediate medical concerns. After assessing the vessel and the prevailing conditions, it was determined that the safest course of action was to put the four crew from the RIB onto the lifeboat and to take the RIB under tow.

The tow commenced at 7:10pm and both vessels arrived safely back into St Peter Port at 10:00pm.

The Lifeboat was back on station at 10:40pm

A spokesperson for Guernsey Coastguard said:

“The initial request for assistance was received from the French Coastguard, who coordinated the response throughout as the vessel was located within their waters. While there was no immediate danger to the four people on board, the vessel’s distance from shore and inability to make way under its own power meant assistance was required.

We would like to thank the crew of the Spirit of Guernsey for giving up their Sunday afternoon and evening, to go to the assistance of the French RIB.

We would also like to thank the RNLI’s St Helier lifeboat station for covering our area with their All Weather Lifeboat, whilst our ALB was conducting this long offshore tasking.

“The successful resolution of this incident highlights the strong working relationship between the French, Jersey and Guernsey Search and Rescue communities, whose seamless coordination ensured assistance was provided quickly and efficiently.”

Issued by: Mike Harris – Duty Search Mission Coordinator

At around 1810 hours on Monday 10 August Guernsey Coastguard were alerted to a Distress Call from a French Fishing Vessel around 14 miles off the Guernsey West Coast.

Joburg Maritime Rescue Co Ordination Centre contacted the Fishing Vessel directly and they subsequently advised Guernsey Coastguard of a medical incident on board a 22m French Trawler, whereby one of the vessels crew required immediate medical assistance.

At around 1825 hours following a request from Joburg MRCC, Guernsey Coastguard requested the launch of the St Peter Port Lifeboat which was to convey 2 St Johns Paramedics to the location, the French dispatched a rescue helicopter to the location.

The Spirit of Guernsey Lifeboat left St Peter Port with 7 crew and 2 paramedics at 1839 hours and arrived with the Fishing Vessel at 1919 hours.

The French Rescue helicopter arrived at a similar time and lowered their Paramedic to the Fishing Vessel. The decision was taken to immediately evacuate the casualty into the Helicopter and transfer him to Cherbourg.

The Lifeboat stood by as safety cover whilst the winching operation was underway.

The Spirit of Guernsey Lifeboat was back in St Peter Port by 2020 hours where she was refuelled and made ready for service.

DUTY SMC (Search Mission Coordinator) Simon Granger said “This was an excellent collaboration between the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre at Joburg, Guernsey Coastguard, St Johns, the RNLI along with the French Military for providing a rescue helicopter. All the agencies acted swiftly in sending medical assistance out to casualty and providing the best care possible.”

Guernsey Coastguard coordinated the rescue of a sailing yacht experiencing severe rigging failure and communication difficulties east of Guernsey this afternoon.

At 3:53 p.m., Guernsey Coastguard was alerted to the 11 metre sailing vessel Sovereign, which had suffered a broken mast approximately 12 nautical miles South West of Guernsey. Initial VHF communications with the casualty vessel were heavily broken and intermittent. Guernsey Coastguard established telephone contact with the crew, who confirmed that the yacht was completely dismasted with six people on board.

Given the vessel’s rigging failure and the challenging communication dropouts, Guernsey Coastguard immediately tasked the St Peter Port RNLI All-Weather Lifeboat to launch. A PAN PAN urgency broadcast was also transmitted to alert any nearby vessels to the casualty’s position, though no other vessels were in the immediate vicinity at the time.

While the lifeboat was en route, the yacht’s crew successfully managed to recover the collapsed rigging and mast safely onto the deck and confirmed that the hull had sustained no damage. Fortunately, all six occupants remained fit and well with no injuries reported.

The St Peter Port Lifeboat arrived on scene, established clear communications with the Sovereign, and safely escorted the vessel and its crew back to port.