Donaghadee RNLI assist three people on speedboat drifting out to sea
Donaghadee RNLI's all-weather lifeboat was launched last night (Sunday 12 June), at the request of Belfast Coastguard to come to the assistance of a small speedboat that had broken down and was drifting out to sea.
The volunteer crew of were paged and requested to launch by Belfast Coastguard yesterday at 9.42pm after a report from a member of the public on Ballyhalbert harbour that a small speedboat was adrift.
With good visibility, a slight sea state and light westerly winds the lifeboat Saxon launched with a compliment of seven volunteer crew members onboard and made full speed to the reported location of the casualty vessel in roughly 35 minutes.
Upon arriving on scene the crew members ascertained that the three people onboard were in good health. An assessment followed and a decision was made to establish a towline to the vessel and bring it to the nearest safe port at Ballyhalbert harbour and into the care of the Coastguard Rescue Team.
Speaking following the call out, Donaghadee RNLI Volunteer Coxswain John Ashwood, said: ‘This was a good outcome this evening as we were alerted while we still had some light, albeit fading.
'We strongly advise that if you are going to sea that you carry a means of communication, preferably a VHF radio which the lifeboat can use to locate your position. The importance of wearing proper lifejackets can never be underestimated too. We were glad to get the casualty vessel and three crew members into the safety of Ballyhalbert Harbour.’
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