Douglas RNLI lifeboat launched to go to the aid of a yacht in difficulty

The 30ft yacht with three people on board had been making for Douglas having left Menai Bridge, Anglesey, earlier in the day when it ran into difficulty approximately 25 miles south east of Douglas.

The yacht had been making good progress towards the Island when the wind suddenly dropped leaving the yacht unable to make headway, and after all efforts to start the yacht's engine failed the crew radioed the Coastguard for assistance.

With the benefit of a clear night the RNLI all-weather lifeboat Marine Engineer was launched onto a calm sea under the command of volunteer coxswain Graeme Cushnie. The casualty vessel was easily located and after ensuring that the yacht's crew were not in need of any assistance themselves, the yacht was taken under tow back to Douglas harbour to a berth on the Visitors' Pontoon at the Battery Pier where the Douglas Coastguard were waiting to assist.

Leaving the yacht and its crew in the care of the Coastguard the lifeboat returned to station to be re-housed, washed down, re-fuelled and was made ready again for service by 4.30am.

Notes to editors
Caption for attached photo: Douglas all-weather lifeboat Marine Engineer with casualty vessel returning to harbour. 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]

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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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