Ramsey’s Mersey class RNLI lifeboat, the RNLB Ann and James Ritchie, was launched at around 14:00 yesterday afternoon, Sunday 18th August, to go to the aid of a ‘Hobie cat’ small sailing catamaran in distress just off Ramsey Harbour.
The ‘Hobie cat’ had suffered a capsize and the two people on board had successfully managed to right it. Unfortunately during the capsize seawater had entered one of the hulls making the craft unstable and it capsized once more.
The lifeboat quickly arrived on scene and established that the sailors, who were fine but somewhat cold, had managed to right their craft yet again. As there were still concerns about the stability of the catamaran the decision was made to tow it to the beach.
As the lifeboat neared the beach the tow was released and two of the lifeboat crew in dry suits entered the water and pulled the catamaran plus its crew safely onto the beach where they were met by the local Coastguard team.
This was the third call-out for the Ann and James Ritchie and her volunteer crew in six days.
Photo courtesy of Peter Brady, Ramsey RNLI
