Bangor RNLI came to the aid of a lone sailor yesterday morning (Sunday, 7 May) after his 35ft yacht broke down east of Carrickfergus Castle on Belfast Lough.
The volunteer crew had just assembled at the station for a routine training exercise when at 10 am, Belfast Coastguard requested the inshore lifeboat to launch and go to the assistance of the sailor.
The lifeboat Jessie Hillyard, helmed by Gavin Mitchell and with crew members Katherine Lindsay, Kyle Marshall and Gareth Whan onboard, launched immediately and made its way to the scene.
Weather conditions at the time were good, with light airs, a Force 1-2 wind and calm seas.
Once on scene, the crew observed that the sailor, who was wearing a lifejacket, had dropped the yacht’s anchor to secure the vessel until the lifeboat arrived.
A decision was made to establish a tow line and bring the yacht and the sailor to the nearest safe port at Carrickfergus Marina.