#Rescue - A US yachtsman sings the praises of the RNLI and people of Inis Mór who took him in after his yacht dismasted at sea, according to The Irish Times.
John Lubimir and his wife Christine were sailing their yacht Patriot in the Aran Islands just weeks after circumnavigating Ireland when its carbon fibre mast snapped.
That was in spite of the moderate conditions — with a 12-14 knot southwesterly — and the mast being only 18 months old.
The damage wasn’t limited to the mast itself, as it gouged a hole in the top cabin of the Able Apogée 58 and threatened to hole the vessel’s hull.
When the going was good: the 58ft Patriot (centre, dark hull) at the start of the Volvo Round Ireland race on 30 June. Patriot came second in its class in this year’s race Photo: W M Nixon
But after a call to the coastguard, Aran Islands RNLI were on the way to escort the Lubimirs to the safety of Inis Mór and avoid a “potentially tragic” situation, as John puts it.
And while John sorts out the insurance claim, he’s being treated to the Aran Islands’ legendary hospitality.
The Irish Times has more on the story HERE.
