Eight French sailors were happy to see Newcastle RNLI when their motor yacht had engine troubles off the Co Down coast last Friday night (19 July).
Conditions were poor, with fog and rain and a southerly Force 3 wind with a 1-2m swell when the all-weather lifeboat reached the stricken boat some 14 miles off Newcastle at 10pm.
All eight on board were found safe and well, and prepared for the rough conditions with foul weather clothing and lifejackets.
At the request of the vessel’s skipper, a tow was established and the boat was towed into Ardglass Harbour, where members of Newcastle Coastguard assisted with mooring.
Speaking afterwards, Newcastle RNLI coxswain Nathan Leneghan said: “We would like to commend the actions of the yacht’s crew for having the correct lifesaving equipment on board and for calling for assistance at the earliest opportunity as the situation could have deteriorated with weather conditions worsening.”