Red Bay RNLI assist yacht in rolling seas off Antrim coast as crew fall ill
Both Red Bay RNLI lifeboats launched this morning (Wednesday 24 April) when a 28ft yacht on passage from Oban in Scotland to Belfast got into difficulty when its five-person crew became ill in challenging sea conditions and were unable to safely command the vessel.
The crew of the yacht raised the alarm at 8.30am this morning to ask for assistance when they were unable to continue their journey due to conditions at sea which caused four of the crew to become unwell. The yacht’s anchor had also been dragging the vessel throughout the night. Sea conditions off the Antrim coast today were described by the lifeboat crew as ‘challenging’ as easterly winds created rolling seas.
Once the alarm was raised, both Red Bay lifeboats were launched, and when on scene two lifeboat crew were put aboard the yacht to bring it back to Cushendall, escorted by the lifeboats. Once on land, the crew of the yacht received medical assistance from paramedics.
Commenting on the early morning callout Red Bay RNLI Coxswain Paddy McLaughlin said, ‘Conditions off the Antrim coast this morning are quite challenging, with rolling seas and easterly winds. This would have been a difficult passage for the crew, and they made the right call when they raised the alarm. With the anchor dragging, it was becoming increasingly difficult for the crew to continue their journey and the motion of the vessel would have severely hampered their attempts.’
The rescue was coordinated by Belfast coastguard and land-based coastguard teams from Ballycastle and Larne also attended.
Ends
RNLI media contacts
For information please contact Paddy McLaughlin Red Bay RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Tel: 078 02 308821 email:
[email protected] or Niamh Stephenson RNLI Public Relations Manager on 00 353 87 1254 124 email
[email protected] or Nuala McAloon RNLI Press Officer Tel: 00 353 87 6483547 email
[email protected]
The RNLI is a proud partner of the GAA in Ireland. The two organisations are working together to improve the health and well-being of local communities with the aim to reduce drowning and to share life-saving advice. To learn more about this work click here
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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.