Portrush RNLI launched for a second time to reports of a yacht in difficulty

Portrush RNLI was launched for a second time this afternoon to reports of a 28 foot yacht in difficulty off Benbane Head.

The All-weather Lifeboat was requested to launch again by Belfast Coastguard at 4.25 pm this afternoon (Thursday 3rd June) to reports of a yacht in difficulty off Benbane Head.

The 28 foot yacht with 1 person on board had sustained a broken mast. The fishery protection vessel arrived on scene ahead of the ALB assisted until the volunteer crew arrived.

Again, as with the previous shout, visibility was excellent, a smooth sea, with a Force 4 South Easterly wind.

Once on scene a RNLI crew member was transferred to the vessel to try to assist the yachtsman to secure his mast. A towline was then attached, and the ALB towed the yacht back to Portrush. The tow was a slow steady process as the crews were against the tide.

Judy Nelson Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at Portrush RNLI said: -

‘This has been a busy few days for our volunteers, but members of the public are doing the right thing and ringing the Coastguard so we can be alerted and get out there to do what we are trained to do. We are expecting a busy summer and we would ask everyone to observe basic safety instructions when visiting and enjoying our beaches and coastlines.

Check the weather forecast, tides and the winds, always take a means of communication in a waterproof pouch.

The RNLI have great information on their web site and we post safety information on our social media pages on a regular basis.

If you see someone in difficulty please dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard- ‘Better safe than sorry’

The ALB and her crew arrived back at Portrush harbour with the yacht at 7pm.

More information can be downloaded from www.rnli.org/safety

ENDS

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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.