Whilst most of Jersey were preparing for the New Year's Eve celebrations, the St Helier Inshore Lifeboat was called out to assist a 29 foot yacht which had suffered engine failure and was unable to make way on Jersey's south west coast.

The tasking came shortly before 4pm and the duty crew had to put their New Year's Eve festivities on hold to deal with the incident. The lifeboat launched swiftly after and made its way to the casualty vessel which was approximately 1/2 nautical mile to the east of Noirmont. By this time, the yacht had managed to get their engine started and was being accompanied by several nearby vessels. The lifeboat was then able to relieve those vessels and took over accompanying the yacht.

Unfortunately the engine problems resumed soon after, at which point with the light fading and the tide on the turn, it was decided that the inshore lifeboat should take the yacht under tow. The casualty was then brought safely back to St Helier.