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Douglas RNLI called out to fishing boat with failed engine

Lifeboats News Release

Douglas RNLI volunteer crew were paged today (28 June) at 2.23pm to go to the aid of a fast fishing boat with failed engine.

Douglas all-weather lifeboat Sir William Hillary with casualty vessel entering Douglas harbour

RNLI/Mike Howland

Douglas all-weather lifeboat Sir William Hillary with casualty vessel entering Douglas harbour
The 8m vessel with four people on board had left Douglas this morning heading south for a day's fishing. At approximately 2pm when they were a mile off Port Grenaugh a fuel line blockage caused their engine to fail. Unable to clear the blockage and restart the engine they called the Coastguard for assistance.

In a flat calm sea Coxswain Neal Corran took the all-weather lifeboat, Sir William Hillary, out of Douglas harbour and headed south for the last reported position of the casualty vessel.

With excellent visibility the casualty vessel and its occupants were quickly located. Having first ensured that all on board were well and required no immediate attention the lifeboat took the fishing boat under tow back to Douglas to a berth on the Battery Pier Visitors' Pontoon where Douglas Coastguard were waiting to assist.

Leaving the four occupants of the fishing boat 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 entering Douglas harbour. 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]


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

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