Larne RNLI rescues two men after yacht gets into difficulty off the Antrim coast

The all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch at 1.46pm following a report from Belfast Coastguard that a 30ft yacht with two people onboard had got into difficulty two miles east of Muck Island.

The lifeboat under Coxswain Frank Healy launched immediately and made its way to the scene.

Weather conditions were good at the time with a Force 1 wind and clear visibility.

A fisheries protection vessel was on scene first and assisted the VHF communications between the lifeboat and casualty vessel.

Once on scene, the volunteer lifeboat crew observed that the yacht which had been on passage between Bangor and Campbeltown had got its propeller tangled on fishing nets. A lack of wind had left the sailors with no means of moving forward.

The lifeboat crew worked to establish a towline and proceeded to take the vessel under tow to Larne Lough where it was met by Larne’s inshore lifeboat which assisted in helping the yacht onto a mooring.

Dolphins that were in the area at the time also guided the vessel into the harbour.

Speaking following the call out Roy McMullan, Larne RNLI Deputy Launching Authority reminded anyone taking to the sea this summer to respect the water: ‘Sailing and motorboating are popular pastimes particularly at this time of year. We would encourage sailors to always wear a lifejacket and always have a means for calling or 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.’

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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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