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Douglas RNLI called out to small fishing boat in difficulty

Lifeboats News Release

Douglas RNLI volunteer crew were paged today (2 June) at 9.57am to go to the aid of a broken down small fishing boat.

Douglas all-weather lifeboat Sir William Hillary with casualty vessel under tow

RNLI/Peter Cowin

Douglas all-weather lifeboat Sir William Hillary with casualty vessel under tow
The 7m day fishing boat with three people on board had left Douglas harbour a little earlier when the boat suffered electrical failure as they were passing below Douglas Head lighthouse and the crew called for assistance.

In a calm sea but with visibility much reduced by mist and fog, Deputy Second Coxswain Graeme Cushnie took the all-weather lifeboat, Sir William Hillary, out of Douglas harbour then south to below the lighthouse.

The casualty vessel was quickly located and a tow established, the lifeboat bringing the fishing boat back to harbour to a berth on the Battery Pier Visitors' Pontoon where Douglas Coastguard were waiting to assist.

Leaving the three occupants of the small fishing boat, who were none the worse for their ordeal, in the care of the Coastguard the lifeboat returned to its berth to be made ready again for service.

Notes to editors
Caption for attached photo: Douglas all-weather lifeboat Sir William Hillary with casualty vessel under tow. Credit: RNLI/Peter Cowin


RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Mike Howland, Douglas RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07624496029, email [email protected] or contact Nuala McAloon RNLI Regional Media Officer Ireland on 00353876483547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson RNLI Regional Media Manager Ireland on 00353871254124 or [email protected]


Key facts about the RNLI

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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

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