Portrush RNLI rescues one person on a broken down rib
Portrush RNLI’s volunteer crew were requested to launch at 8.36am this morning to reports of one person on a broken down rigid inflatable boat (RIB) approximately 1.5 miles north of the Skerries.
The 5.5m rib with one person onboard had broken down on the way back from Islay and requested assistance. Initially both lifeboats from Red Bay RNLI were launched, but it was established that the sailor was closer to Portrush, therefore the Coastguard requested the Portrush crew to launch their lifeboat also.
The inshore lifeboat helmed by Johnny Weston and assisted by Christ Bradley arrived on scene at 8.54am and established that the sailor was fine and able to assist the crew to secure a towline to the rib to enable a tow back to Portrush were the Coastguard were waiting to assist
Portrush RNLI Helm Johnny Weston, said: ‘The sea state was slightly choppy, but visibility was good, and Christy and I were able to attach the tow line to the RIB to get the sailor to the safety of Portrush Harbour.
The sailor did the right thing in contacting the Coastguard as we were able to launch very quickly to bring him to safety.’
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