Douglas RNLI lifeboat was launched today (20 May) at 10.50pm at the request of the Coastguard to go to the aid of a yacht in difficulty.
The 30ft yacht with three people on board had been making for Douglas having left Menai Bridge, Anglesey, earlier in the day when it ran into difficulty approximately 25 miles south east of Douglas.
The yacht had been making good progress towards the Island when the wind suddenly dropped leaving the yacht unable to make headway, and after all efforts to start the yacht’s engine failed the crew radioed the Coastguard for assistance.
With the benefit of a clear night the RNLI all-weather lifeboat Marine Engineer was launched onto a calm sea under the command of volunteer coxswain Graeme Cushnie. The casualty vessel was easily located and after ensuring that the yacht’s crew were not in need of any assistance themselves, the yacht was taken under tow back to Douglas harbour to a berth on the Visitors’ Pontoon at the Battery Pier where the Douglas Coastguard were waiting to assist.
Leaving the yacht and its crew in the care of the Coastguard the lifeboat returned to station to be re-housed, washed down, re-fuelled and was made ready again for service by 4.30am.