Arranmore RNLI’s volunteer crew were roused in the early hours of Sunday morning (28 April) by Malin Head Coast Guard to assist a sailor onboard a yacht that lost power 18 miles west of the Co Donegal island.
The initial request came at 2.41am but as the crew were about to board their all-weather lifeboat, they were asked by the coastguard to stand down as it emerged as the yachtsman had managed to raise his sails and was proceeding as planned.
The crew returned home but were called again five hours later to proceed to the same area, as the yacht was failing to make progress.
On reaching the yacht, the lifeboat crew assessed the situation and decided to establish a tow to bring the yacht to safe moorings at Arranmore.
This was the second call for the all-weather lifeboat in five days. On Tuesday evening (23 April) the volunteer crew assisted in a medevac from Arranmore to a waiting ambulance at Burtonport.
Arranmore RNLI coxswain Jimmy Early said: “We are always happy to give assistance where it is needed. The sailor was really grateful for all the help in bringing him to safety.
“We have a really dedicated crew here on Arranmore and they are always prepared to go above and beyond the call of duty. We are, at present, recruiting crew members for the lifeboat and invite anybody interested in joining to come to the station for a look and a chat.”
The crew onboard the lifeboat with Early were mechanic Reamon O’Donnell, Sean Gallagher, Jamie Neeson, Sharon O’Donnell, Finbar Gallagher and John Boyle.
