Ramsey’s Mersey class RNLI lifeboat, the RNLB Ann and James Ritchie, was launched yesterday, Thursday 15th August, to go to the assistance of a distressed yacht.
The 30 foot yacht with three people on board was on passage from Peel to Whitehaven. As the vessel was rounding the Point of Ayre the anchor bolt securing the forestay to the deck sheared and the mast was at risk of collapsing. The forestay is part of the rigging that holds the mast in place. No-one on board was injured in the incident. The skipper made a radio distress call and Liverpool Coastguard immediately requested the launch of Ramsey Lifeboat. The lifeboat launched at 13:08.
Using its engine the yacht had been able to make some headway towards Ramsey and met with the lifeboat, under the command of second coxswain Rob Brew, approximately 3 miles north-east of Ramsey.
The lifeboat took the yacht in tow at 13:40 and towed it to the visitor mooring buoys in Ramsey Bay. Lifeboat and yacht safely arrived at the moorings at 14:25. When the yacht was securely moored Ramsey Lifeboat and her volunteer crew returned to station.
This was the second call-out for the Ann and James Ritchie within 24 hours.
