Two Rescued After Yacht Collides with Cargo Ship in English Channel

Two yachtsmen had to be rescued early Wednesday morning after their vessel collided with a cargo ship in the English Channel off Dungeness, Kent.

The HM Coastguard reports that it received a MAYDAY call from the yacht following the collision which happened just after 4:10 a.m. on Wednesday.

Dungeness RNLI lifeboat rescued the two from the yacht and both are reported safe and well.

The yacht, however, became entangled with the superstructure of the cargo vessel, the Coastguard reported. It was eventually released with damage to the mast but otherwise in sound condition. 

An HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Lydd along with a Dover RNLI lifeboat and Dungeness Coastguard Rescue Team were also sent to scene to assist.

Local media reports that the cargo ship was underway from Riga in Latvia to Shoreham in West Sussex.

gCaptain can confirm that the cargo ship is the Netherlands-registered Lady Nola. The vessel measures 79 meters in length and it is about 2,000 gross tonnes.

AIS ship tracking data showed the vessel moored in Shoreham as of Wednesday evening.

The Coastguards reported that the Marine Accident Investigation Branch has been notified of the incident.