What3words used in lifeboat rescue of four people

Four people have been rescued after a boat travelling from Guernsey to Jersey broke down, the coastguard has said.

The rescue service said it received a call at about 17:30 BST on Sunday from a man onboard a single-engine powerboat that had lost propulsion.

It said although the vessel had no working on board GPS and an inoperative VHS radio, crews were able to establish a position using the location app "what3words".

Search Mission Co-ordinator Simon Granger said the incident highlighted the importance of "having on board correctly working navigation".

The coastguard said an operator was able to translate the vessel's what3words location from a mobile phone into latitude and longitude.

It said a visual search of the position was then conducted from the Coastguard Station and a possible target was located.

The St Peter Port Lifeboat (Spirit of Guernsey) located the vessel at about 18:35 BST and towed it back to St Peter Port.

Mr Granger said: "This was a successful search and rescue mission.

"The incident highlights the importance of maintaining your vessel in a good state of mechanical repair and having on board correctly working navigation and VHF radio equipment.

"In addition, the benefits of the what3words app was proven again as an accurate way to pinpoint position not only on land but also in coastal areas."

He also thanked the St Peter Port Lifeboat crew for their assistance.

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