Peel and Port Erin RNLI assist lone sailor on yacht in difficulty
Peel RNLI lifeboat joined Port Erin RNLI lifeboat last night (30 June) to assist a single-handed 30ft yacht in difficulty off the west coast of the Isle of Man.
The volunteer crew of the Peel all-weather lifeboat Ruby Clery launched at the request of the Coastguard at 11.15pm into difficult sea conditions with big swells, meeting Port Erin RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Muriel and Leslie on scene near Glen May. The yacht did not require a tow but a crew member from Port Erin RNLI was put aboard the yacht to assist its solo sailor. The two lifeboats then escorted the yacht to safety in Peel harbour.
Juan Owens, volunteer Coxswain aboard Peel RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat, Ruby Clery, said: ‘We train with other Isle of Man volunteer RNLI crews for such joint operations, and tonight we worked well together in challenging circumstances to bring the solo yachtsman to safey.’
As July begins and more people are enjoying being out on the water, please remember the RNLI’s timely safety advice: always wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid, ensure everyone onboard knows how to call for help, get appropriate training and check your engine and fuel before every trip.
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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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