Douglas RNLI lifeboat called out to assist lone sailor

The 11m yacht with just one person on board had been making its way from Belfast to Douglas. After a short rest at Derbyhaven the lone sailor had found it increasingly difficult making his way towards Douglas in the freshening north west wind even with motor assistance. It was then when the yacht's engine started to overheat he radioed the Coastguard for assistance.

The Douglas all weather lifeboat, Sir William Hillary, under the command of volunteer coxswain Neal Corran reached the casualty vessel just after 11pm and lifeboat crewman Peter Cowin was put aboard the yacht to assist its sole occupant.

The yacht was towed back to Douglas and berthed alongside the Visitors' Pontoon on the Battery Pier where the Coastguards were waiting to assist, the lone sailor being none the worse for his ordeal.

Notes to editors
Caption for one attached photo: Douglas lifeboat Sir William Hillary with casualty vessel in Douglas harbour. Credit: RNLI/Michael Howland

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For more information please contact Michael Howland, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07624 496029 or email [email protected] or Eleri Roberts, Divisional Media Relations Manager (Wales and West) on 07771 941390 or 01745 585162. Alternatively contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789.

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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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