Donaghadee RNLI came to the aid of seven people onboard an 18ft Bayliner boat that broke down a mile off Ballyhalbert on the Ards Peninsula yesterday afternoon (Sunday 3 October).
The volunteer crew were requested by Belfast Coastguard to launch their all-weather relief Trent class lifeboat MacQuire at 12.30pm and assess the situation where the boat was reported to be drifting.
The lifeboat launched immediately under Coxswain John Ashwood.
Weather conditions at the time were sunny with partial cloud and a Force 4 north westerly breeze.
Arriving on scene, the lifeboat crew observed that all were safe and well and the boat’s crew had tied the vessel to a nearby lobster pot to prevent it from drifting any further.
Having assessed the situation, Coxswain John Ashwood decided to take six of the crew onboard the lifeboat while leaving the skipper on the vessel as the lifeboat prepared to tow it to the nearest safe port at Portavogie.
Speaking following the call out, Gerry Watts, Donaghadee RNLI Deputy Launching Authority said: ‘The crew onboard did the right thing in raising the alarm when they knew they were difficulty and they managed to prevent the vessel from drifting any further by tying it up when they could.
‘We would remind everyone planning a trip to sea to always respect the water. Always wear a lifejacket and always carry a means of communication. Always let someone on the shore know where you are going and when you are due back. Should you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.’
