Douglas RNLI lifeboat assist broken down yacht

A 10m yacht with four persons, including a small child, on board lost power off the coast of the Isle of Man last night. With a calm sea and no wind, the yacht had been motoring approximately three miles off the coast of the Island when it lost power due to mechanical failure.

The Douglas all-weather lifeboat, Marine Engineer, under the command of volunteer coxswain, Peter Cowin, left heading for the last reported position of the yacht, approximately three miles south east of Douglas harbour.

Having first ensured that the people on board were not in need of any immediate assistance an assessment was then carried out by the Coxswain. It was decided the safest option was to take the yacht under tow back to a berth alongside Battery Pier in Douglas.

With the yacht safely berthed the RNLI volunteers returned to station and the lifeboat was rehoused ready for the next callout.

Volunteer coxswain, Peter Cowin commented: ‘With such a still night, the boat was in no chance of catching a breath of wind. All occupants were in good spirits considering the situation and we were glad to be available to bring them in safely.’

Ends

Notes to editors
Caption for attached photo: Casualty vessel under tow by Douglas all-weather lifeboat, Marine Engineer.

Credit: Emily Heaton

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For more information please contact Charli Dimelow, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07624 436013 or email [email protected] or Eleri Roberts, RNLI Regional Media Officer on 07771 941390 / [email protected]. Alternatively contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789.

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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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