Port St Mary RNLI lifeboat launches twice in 10 hours to assist two yachts

During the first incident, the lifeboat was launched with seven volunteers at 5.44pm on Saturday 16 May 2026, to a yacht that had experienced a broken mast around 18 miles south-east of Port St Mary. The lifeboat arrived on scene at 6.50pm and found the lone occupant safe and well. A lifeboat crew member went aboard and helped clear rigging from the water and a decision was made to escort the yacht to Douglas, the nearest harbour, arriving there at 11.45pm. The lifeboat then returned to Port St Mary, where it was refuelled and ready for service at 1.08am on Sunday 17 May 2026.

The lifeboat launched again with seven volunteers at 3.13am on Sunday 17 May 2026, just over 2 hours after making the boat ready following the first call, in response to the report of a yacht with engine trouble and jammed rigging around 14 miles east-south-east of Port St Mary. The lifeboat arrived on scene at 4.15am and lifeboat crew checked on the two occupants, who were assessed as safe but tired. The yacht was checked over by crew and a decision was made to escort it to Douglas, the nearest harbour, arriving there at 8.55am. The lifeboat then returned to Port St Mary, where it was refuelled and ready for service at 10.30am.

Mike Teare, Lifeboat Operations Manager for Port St Mary Lifeboat said:

'These two incidents demonstrate the commitment and resilience of our volunteer crew, who are prepared to respond at a moment’s notice when their pagers are activated.

'After returning home from the first call, some of the team only had a short period before being called out again. We would like to thank HM Coastguard for coordinating both rescues, the merchant vessels in the area that stood by to assist, and IOM Harbours for their support in Douglas Harbour.

'The yachts involved were equipped with communication systems that helped us to locate them and maintain contact throughout. We would also ask everyone going to sea to ensure their craft are properly maintained and suitably equipped.'

Notes to editors

• The attached photo shows Port St Mary RNLI's all-weather lifeboat Henry Heys Duckworth returning to station after the second incident.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Gavin Callow, Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer for Port St Mary RNLI, 07624 487088, [email protected]

Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Wales, West of England and Isle of Man, 07977 728 315, [email protected]

Danielle Rush, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Wales, West of England and Isle of Man, 07786 668829, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

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The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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