Early launch for Newcastle RNLI launch to stranded sailor at Ardglass Marina

The all-weather lifeboat Eleanor and Bryant Girling was on the way by 3.55am and arrived on scene with the casualty vessel 45 minutes later. The lifeboat crew found the yacht hard aground and listing heavily to starboard on the breakwater protecting the marina. The lifeboat under command of coxswain William Chambers and his crew tried manoeuvring the lifeboat close to the yacht only to find the tide had fallen too much and was too far away to retrieve the lone sailor from his vessel.

With full coordination between both the lifeboat and Newcastle coastguard on the shore the lifeboat pulled back to deeper water and provided safety cover while members of Newcastle coastguard team carried out a rescue from the shore.

The casualty was removed from the vessel for his own safety with no injuries and with everyone accounted for the lifeboat was stood down.

Ends

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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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