
Kippford RNLI assists broken down motor cruiser
On Saturday 21st September the volunteer crew at Kippford RNLI were requested to provide assistance to a motor cruiser with one person on board who had broken down on approach to Kippford.
The Maritime and Coastguard co-ordination centre at Belfast made an initial tasking request around 10.30am after the skipper of the vessel had contacted them for assistance. After a discussion with the Lifeboat Operations Manager it was agreed that Kippford’s D Class Ronnie Sinclair would launch with a crew at 1pm as the tide was coming in. It was confirmed that the broken down vessel was safely at anchor with no injuries to persons aboard.
The volunteer crew assembled just before 1pm and prepared the lifeboat for launch. It was confirmed that the vessel was still anchored just outside Kippford and required assistance to navigate the channel into the harbour. The D Class inshore lifeboat launched at exactly 1pm and was alongside the casualty vessel five minutes later.
There was still very little water in the bay where the vessel was anchored so the crew were able to come alongside and have a look at the rudder. After a discussion with the skipper it was decided that the safest course of action was to wait for the tide to rise further and then tow the vessel into Kippford where arrangements could be made to repair the problem.
After around 20 minutes there was enough tide to fully refloat the broken down boat and establish a tow line from the lifeboat. After a steady tow into Kippford the crew skilfully manoeuvred the 28 foot cruiser into position where it could be safely moored.
The lifeboat returned to station at 2.20pm where it was washed down and refuelled ready for the next service.
Lifeboat Operations Manager, Gareth Jones, said: ‘The skipper of the vessel did exactly the right thing in this case. He safely anchored in a sheltered area and contacted the coastguard for assistance before the situation had deteriorated. His decision making allowed our crew to make a safe and considered approach to provide assistance and I’m pleased they were able to bring the vessel and skipper to the safety of Kippford.’
RNLI media contacts
Laura Wilson, Lifeboat Press Officer, 07756 125917, [email protected]
Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]
Tom McGuire, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland and Ireland, 00353 87 476 4436, [email protected]
Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office, 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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