Ramsey’s Mersey class RNLI lifeboat, the RNLB Ann and James Ritchie, was launched on Saturday evening (26th July) to go to the assistance of a 40ft yacht with engine failure.

Ramsey lifeboat was launched at the request of Liverpool Coastguard following a distress call from the Bangor (Northern Ireland) registered yacht. The vessel, which was on passage from Ardrossan to Douglas, had three people on board plus a dog. It was unable to make any headway under sail because of the calm conditions and had suffered total engine failure. Its reported position was 2.5 miles east of Ramsey.

Ramsey lifeboat was launched at 19:43 and was on scene by 20:00. The stricken vessel was taken safely into tow to the visitor mooring buoys in Ramsey Bay. The construction of the yacht and the nature of the engine failure meant that Ramsey Harbour, which is tidal and dries out, was not suitable as a berth. The coxswain of Ramsey lifeboat, Mark Kenyon, made the decision to tow it to Douglas. A decision was also made to launch Douglas lifeboat so that it could meet with Ramsey lifeboat and complete the tow into Douglas Harbour.

Douglas relief RNLI lifeboat, the Tyne class RNLB Hilda Jarrett, was launched just before 21:00 and rendezvoused with Ramsey lifeboat at the Dhoon at 21:40. Douglas lifeboat took the tow from Ramsey lifeboat, turned around and safely returned to Douglas Harbour with the casualty vessel. 
 
Ramsey lifeboat then returned to station where the lifeboat was re-carriaged, made ready for service again and her volunteer crew stood down by 22:45.

Douglas’s Tyne class RNLI lifeboat, the RNLB Sir William Hillary, is currently off-service undergoing vital repairs.

Photo - taken by Ali Clague, Ramsey RNLI lifeboat mechanic, taken from Ramsey lifeboat showing the casualty vessel in tow.