Douglas RNLI lifeboat was launched today (18 September) at 3.08pm when a yacht in difficulties called for assistance.
The small yacht with five people on board had been motoring back to Douglas when the engine failed as they were passing Laxey. With the weather, fog and rain, closing in and one of the crew suffering from sea sickness the skipper anchored the yacht just off Clay Head and called for assistance.
The RNLI all-weather lifeboat Sir William Hillary was launched under the command of coxswain Neal Corran and made for the casualty vessel. A radio conversation between the lifeboat’s volunteer mechanic Peter Washington and Belfast Coastguard overheard on the lifeboat station’s VHF radio at 3.29pm confirmed that the casualty vessel had been located and was to be taken under tow back to Douglas.
On arrival in Douglas harbour the lifeboat berthed the yacht at the Visitors’ Pontoon on the Battery Pier where Douglas Coastguard were waiting to assist. Apart from some sea sickness for that one crew member all the occupants appeared none the worse for their ordeal.
