Douglas RNLI called out to yacht with failed engine

The twenty five foot yacht with just one person on board had been motoring from Whitehaven which he'd left earlier in the day bound for Douglas. Four miles out from Douglas harbour, off Clay Head, both fan belts on the yacht's engine failed leaving the yacht without power and drive at which point the sole occupant radioed for assistance.

In a flat calm sea and with good visibility Deputy Second Coxswain Graeme Cushnie took the all-weather lifeboat, Sir William Hillary, out of Douglas harbour then headed north across Douglas Bay towards Clay Head and the last reported position of the yacht.

The casualty vessel was located where reported and a tow quickly established, the lifeboat bringing the yacht in to Douglas harbour and a berth on the Battery Pier where Douglas Coastguard were waiting to assist.

Leaving the lone occupant of the yacht, who was none the worse for his 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 at the Battery Pier. Credit: RNLI/Michael Howland


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]

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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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