Ramsey RNLI’s Ann and James Ritchie II launched on Saturday afternoon to assist a 26ft yacht in distress two nautical miles off Maughold Head.
The yacht, with two crew members aboard during a passage from Scotland to Douglas, had issued a ‘PAN PAN’ alert after struggling in challenging weather conditions, leaving both fatigued.
An RNLI spokesperson said: “The lifeboat was alongside the casualty by 1:46pm and the decision was made to take the yacht in tow to Douglas Harbour.
“With winds of force 6 and a 2-3m swell a member of the lifeboat crew was required to assist with lowering sails and rigging a tow.”
By 2:09 pm, a lifeboat crew member had boarded the yacht, and a towline was secured. The vessel was safely moored in Douglas Harbour by 4:05 pm.
Douglas Coastguard took over care of the yacht, while the lifeboat departed for Ramsey at 4:30pm. The RNLI said that after a brief wait for sufficient beach to recover, the lifeboat was rehoused and ready for service by 6:30pm.
No injuries were reported.
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