Port Erin RNLI launch for overdue sailors
On Thursday last (13 August) Port Erin RNLI volunteers were paged at 7.21pm to search for an overdue laser dinghy with two people onboard that was lost and without any means of communication.
Port Erin RNLI's lifeboat conducted a coastal search from the Calf Sound area up to Port St Mary Bay while Port St Mary RNLI all-weather lifeboat 14-26 Gough Richie 2 searched around the Calf Of Man and Chicken Rock Lighthouse.
As Port Erin RNLI's lifeboat reached Port St Mary bay, the crew met up with Port St Mary RNLI's D-class inshore lifeboat and continued the search towards Castletown harbour.
Just before 8pm, Port Erin RNLI's inshore lifeboat spotted a White and Blue Laser dinghy at Castletown Bell Buoy with two men onboard safe and sound wearing lifejackets. The lifeboat towed the sailing dingy back towards Port St Mary Bay were they were met With Port Erin Coastguard at 8.30pm.
Phil Crellin, Port Erin RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: 'All craft both pleasure and commercial should always carry a communication device when at sea, even the smallest vessels can get into difficulties.'
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.