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Douglas RNLI called out to broken down fishing boat

Lifeboats News Release

Douglas RNLI volunteer crew were paged today (27 September) at 7.53am to go to the aid of a fishing boat with a failed engine.

Douglas all-weather lifeboat Marine Engineer with casualty vessel under tow

RNLI/Mike Howland

Douglas all-weather lifeboat Marine Engineer with casualty vessel under tow
The 10m vessel with two people on board had left Douglas about an hour earlier on a fishing trip when approximately one mile off Onchan Head at the north end of Douglas Bay the engine failed because of a blocked fuel line. Unable to clear the blockage and restart the engine the crew called the Coastguard by VHF radio for assistance.

With little wind and just a slight sea Coxswain Neal Corran took the all-weather lifeboat, Marine Engineer, out of Douglas harbour heading for the last reported position of the casualty vessel.

Visibility was good and the fishing boat was quickly located. Having first ensured that the boat's crew did not require attention themselves the lifeboat took the fishing boat under tow back to a berth on the Battery Pier where the Douglas Coastguard were waiting to assist.

Leaving the fishermen and their boat in the care of the Coastguard the lifeboat returned to station to be re-housed and made ready again for service.

Notes to editors
Caption for attached photo: Douglas all-weather lifeboat Marine Engineer with casualty vessel under tow. 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

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

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