Bangor RNLI in Northern Ireland came to the aid of four people in two separate call-outs over the weekend after a yacht and boat got into difficulty.
The first call came at 5.54pm on Saturday (12 October) when the volunteer crew were requested by Belfast Coastguard to launch their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Ruby Robinson and assess a situation where a boat with three people onboard was experiencing difficulty just north of the Long Hole in Bangor.
Weather conditions at the time were wet and slightly overcast with a rough sea state and a breeze gusting 35mph.
The lifeboat, helmed by John Bell, made its way to the scene and the crew located the casualty vessel with the three people onboard.
The yacht, which was dragging its anchor, was noted by the crew to be in imminent danger of running aground at the Long Hole. The vessel also had a torn sail which made it difficult for the sailors to make headway into the wind.
Having assessed the situation, it was decided to escort the vessel into the safety of Bangor Marina. However, upon entering the marina, the yacht experienced steering failure and grounded on the Pickie Breakwater.
The lifeboat went promptly alongside to assist, and when the yacht’s engine subsequently failed, the crew proceeded to set up a tow to safely bring the vessel to a marina berth roughly 130 metres from where the yacht grounded.
The second call came at 3.45pm yesterday (Sunday 13 October) after Belfast Coastguard received a Mayday call from a fishing boat experiencing engine failure just east of Carrickfergus.
The inshore lifeboat launched at 3.53pm and made best speed to the vessel which had one person onboard. As the vessel was drifting close to the rocks on the shoreline it was determined that it would be safest to undertake a tow to the nearest, safest port of Carrickfergus.
Speaking following the call-outs, Bangor RNLI helm John Bell said: “The sailors on the yacht from Saturday’s call-out did exactly the correct thing by calling us out to help, which we were only too happy to do. The conditions were challenging at sea and put all our training to the test.
“We would urge all boat owners to carry out regular maintenance checks on their vessels. Check weather and tide times before venturing out and during any passage. Check charts for safe anchorages and always consider the weather conditions before setting anchor.
“If you find yourself in trouble or if you see someone in trouble on the water or are in difficulties yourself, do not hesitate to call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”
