Donaghadee lifeboat crews were deployed to rescue a yacht taking on water in the sea north of Bangor.
The volunteer crew were called by Belfast Coastguard on Thursday, May 19, at 3.22pm to reports of an 8 metre yacht in difficulty at the mouth of Belfast Lough.
The yacht, which had three people on board, left Stranraer at 9.45am and was en route to Bangor when it requested assistance from the Coastguard due to taking on water. They reported that they could see Kilroot Power Station but were unable to narrow down their position.
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Lifeboat Saxon was deployed into moderate sea conditions at 3.33pm and proceeded at full speed toward Belfast Lough. Meanwhile, Irish Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopter 118, which had been on another callout further North, was able to offer assistance in locating the yacht.
To help find them, the crew of the yacht set off a red flare, enabling the crew of the lifeboat to determine their position, arriving on scene at 4.11pm followed shortly by the Search and Rescue helicopter.
As the vessels own pump was doing a sufficient job at keeping the water at bay, the crew on the lifeboat established a tow-line to the stricken yacht and proceeded to tow it towards Bangor Marina, arriving just after 6pm.
Earlier in the week on Tuesday 17 May at 5.55am, the volunteer crew were launched at the request of Belfast Coastguard after reports from a member of the general public who reported sightings of a man in a small boat holding onto a lobster pot just North of Ballywalter Harbour.
The lifeboat launched into moderate/rough conditions and proceeded at full speed toward the casualty, whose outboard engine had broken down. It transpired that the casualty had contacted a family member with a boat to assist, the lifeboat stayed on scene until the assisting vessel arrived and returned to Donaghadee Harbour at 7.20am.
Philip McNamara, Donaghadee Lifeboat Coxswain said: "Two positive results this week from our callouts – a credit to the member of the public who called in the the small punt holding onto the lobster pot, we would always encourage the public to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard if they are worried, the earlier we are launched the more likely a positive result.
"We were happy to ensure the remaining safe passage of the 8 metre yacht into Bangor Marina, again the importance of asking for help as earlier as possible to ensure a positive outcome played a big part in this callout, also having the relevant equipment onboard to help us locate you is essential. As always the crew’s quick response and skill were superb, and I extend my thanks to them."
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