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RNLI crews respond to yacht with engine fire and ran aground in Port Erin bay

Lifeboats News Release

Port Erin lifeboat was paged at 5:19pm on the 23 of January 2021. Helmsman Tony Mitchell took the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat B-813 Muriel and Leslie along with a volunteer crew in force four sea conditions to a 45 foot sailing yacht that had an engine fire and ran aground in Port Erin bay.

Port Erin lifeboat alongside the casualty vessel as Port St Mary stood off

RNLI/Port Erin

Port Erin lifeboat and Port St Mary lifeboat with casualty vessel
Upon arrival the 45 foot yacht was grounded on the rocks the lifeboat made contact with the skipper to make sure that the fire was extinguished, that all persons on board were safe with no injuries and that vessel wasn't taken on any water.

Port Erin lifeboat B-813 immediately set up a tow to pull the 45ft sailing yacht into deeper water. Port Erin's lifeboat successfully towed the sailing yacht of the rocks into deeper water, helmsman Tony Mitchell took the lifeboat alongside the vessel and placed a crew member on board. They conducted a health check on the skipper and the integrity of the yacht. It was clear that the rudder of the vessel was jammed to the port side.

The lifeboat and volunteer crew towed the sailing yacht onto the visitors buoy in Port Erin harbour and made her safe. Once the sailing yacht was safely tied up alongside the mooring Port St Mary's all-weather lifeboat
Forward Birmingham and Port Erin coastguard provided assistance and stood by. The vessel's skipper was in good health with no injuries and opted to stay onboard the vessel for the night were Isle of Man marine operations are keeping communication with the vessel every hour overnight.

The lifeboat and volunteer crew safely returned back to the lifeboat station at 6:42pm were the volunteers made the lifeboat ready for service again.

Port Erin RNLI would like to thank Port Erin coastguard for standing by ready for assistance and Port St Mary lifeboat for their service.


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.

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