Portaferry RNLI assists couple after 7m yacht gets into difficulty
Portaferry RNLI came to the aid of a couple whose 7m yacht ran aground on Strangford Lough in the early hours of this morning.
The volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat by Belfast Coastguard in the early hours of this morning (Monday 26 August) to aid the yacht that had run aground on Roe Island.
The lifeboat with three crew onboard launched at 12.50am in darkness with little moonlight, a calm sea state and wind force 1. The crew arrived on scene at 1.18am and located the yacht in difficulty. On scene the weather was good with wind force 1 and a calm sea state. A man and woman were onboard.
On locating the casualty yacht, the lifeboat crew took the yacht under tow to a safe location where the anchor was able to be deployed successfully. The lifeboat crew made sure everyone was safe and well, before departing the scene at 1.44am.
Commenting on the call out, Jordan Conway, Portaferry RNLI Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer said: ‘The yacht’s crew made the right decision to call for help as there was a falling tide and the situation could have got a lot worse. We would remind everyone planning a trip at sea to always respect the water. Always wear a lifejacket, always carry a means of communication and should you get into difficulty, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.’
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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