Threatened being dashed against rocks on the Mull of Kintyre
The Sceptre and her five-strong crew flashed an SOS as she drifted helplessly in strong rip tides and rough conditions towards the shore.
The mayday was picked up by the 1bn destroyer, currently in the middle of her second period of sea trials off the west coast of Scotland.
The Type 45 was fortunately just six miles away from the yacht at the time and just 25 minutes after picking up the distress call, Dragon was able to put her sea boat in the water to offer assistance.
Five minutes later and the boat had a tow line across to the yacht. For the next 16 minutes it struggled amid high waves and a strong tidal race to haul the Sceptre until the tow parted.
A second line was thrown across as the RIB fought the elements to save the yacht from being smashed until the Campbeltown lifeboat arrived on the scene to take Sceptre to safety in the small fishing port.
Dragon has a mixed RN/BAE Systems crew aboard as she undergoes her extensive trials and the same counted for her sea boat, driven by AB Brigs with BAEs Willy Brownless and Robert Allen who were involved in the tow operation.
Conditions were getting worse very quickly, said AB Brigs. I reckon the yacht only had 15 minutes before ending up on the rocks, so it was really important to get there quickly.
I didnt really think of the danger, we just got on with the job. The yachts crew looked really happy to see us.
Mr Brownless added: We were really happy to help out the boat was a beautiful classic with a wooden hull and it would have been a shame to loose her.
Once her trials are finished, Dragon will return to Scotstoun for final fitting out and tweaks before she sails to Portsmouth for the first time at the end of August.
Source: Navy News
