Newcastle and Portaferry RNLI rescue three men after yacht gets into difficulty

The alert from Belfast Coastguard came at 9.11pm with a request to go to the aid of a 33ft yacht with a fouled propeller half a mile off Ardglass Harbour.

As the exact location was unknown both the all-weather lifeboat from Newcastle and the inshore lifeboat from Portaferry were requested to launch.

Weather conditions at the time were cloudy with good visibility and calm to moderate seas.

As further information was gathered, it emerged that the yacht was located half a mile from Ardglass Harbour.

Once on scene the lifeboat crews assessed that the three onboard were safe and well before finding that a fishing pot was the object that had got tangled around the yacht’s propeller.

Newcastle RNLI Coxswain Richard Herron brought the lifeboat alongside and managed to free the yacht.

The all-weather lifeboat crew proceeded to take the yacht under tow to Ardglass marina with Portaferry RNLI’s lifeboat attaching a tow to the back of the vessel to aid with the berthing.

The yacht was alongside and handed into the care of the Newcastle Coastguard team at 10.45pm.

Speaking following the call out, Nathan Leneghan, Newcastle RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said: ‘Sailing and motorboating are popular pastimes around the County Down coastline and particularly at this time of year.

‘We would remind anyone taking to the sea to always respect the water. Always wear a lifejacket and ensure you have the appropriate level of training required for the vessel you are using. Always have a means for calling and signalling for help. And ensure everyone onboard knows how to use it.

‘Always check the weather forecast and tide times and make sure someone ashore knows where you are going and who to call if you don’t return on time. Should you get into difficulty, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.’

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For more information please telephone Nathan Leneghan, Newcastle RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07851264466, email Nathan_Leneghan @rnli.org.uk or contact Nuala McAloon RNLI Press Officer Ireland on 00353876483547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson RNLI Public Relations Manager Ireland on 00 353 87 1254 124 or [email protected]

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The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

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