(maritime-executive.com) – Two weeks ago a RNLI crew based out of Newlyn, UK received a request from the coastguard that a 40-foot French yacht with eight people on board was taking on water a couple of miles southwest of Porthleven, UK. Winds at the time of the rescue were 55 knots, gusting to 75. In extremely rough conditions, the lifeboat met the vessel and rigged a tow which within five minutes parted.Conditions on the boat continued to disintegrate and eventually the crew had to be rescued by a Coastguard helicopter. Read more.