Pan Pan leads to first call out of 2022 for Largs RNLI
A lone yachtsman onboard a 27 foot yacht was rescued by Largs RNLI after broadcasting a ‘Pan Pan’ alert when he suffering mechanical failure and was unable to make headway under sail.
The volunteer crew were tasked at 2:35pm on 4 January 2022 after the outboard engine bracket had failed, and due to the strong north-westerly winds, was not able to make headway under sail back to his marina at Port Bannatyne.
Once on scene, the Helm of the lifeboat decided the best option was to take the vessel under tow back to the safety of Port Bannatyne. A volunteer crew member boarded the yacht and assisted the lone sailor to stow the sails and set up the tow line.
After a short time the Lifeboat entered Port Bannatyne Marina where it was met by members of Rothesay Coast Guard rescue team, who assisted in berthing the yacht.
As the yacht was now safe Largs Lifeboat was released from service, and after grateful thanks from the yachts owner, returned to Largs where it was refuelled, washed down and made ready for service some two hours after the initial call.
Commenting on the rescue, Largs RNLI Helm, Dave Stevens, said: ‘Although the owner of the yacht was a very experienced sailor and the yacht was well maintained, there are times when somethings can go wrong and this was the case today. Luckily, the sailor knew that he was in trouble and broadcast a Pan Pan alerting the UK Coastguard of his situation and need for assistance.’
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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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