Port St Mary RNLI lifeboat rescues lone yachtsman

The sea conditions were smooth with a north easterly force one and the RNLI lifeboat was quickly on scene.

On arriving at the casualty it was established there was a single occupant on board the 29 foot vessel who was returning from a day trip to Holyhead.

One crew member from the Gough Ritchie 2 was put on board and checked that no injuries had been sustained.

A tow line was attached to the yacht and it was towed back by the lifeboat to Port St Mary where it was escorted into the inner harbour.

The crew and the Gough Ritchie 2 were back on station ready for service by 4am. Among the crew of the RNLI lifeboat were two recently qualified members, Chris Hill and Laura Cordner.

Chris said: ‘Having recently completed my training it was superb to put into practice what I have been learning.’

Laura said: ‘It was a strange feeling when the pager went off at 2am but it was great to be able to go out and help someone in difficulty.’

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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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.