Lough Swilly RNLI 12-hour mission to rescue stricken yacht in gale force winds

The Lough Swilly RNLI crew managed to bring a yacht and its crew to safety in a challenging 12-hour operation in gale force conditions.

On Wednesday, June 27 at 10.45am, the crew received a request for assistance from Malin Head Coast Guard. A 36-foot yacht with two people on board which had been competing in the Round Ireland Race had got into difficulty not far from Inishtrahull, an island seven nautical miles off Malin Head.

Lough Swilly All Weather Shannon Class Lifeboat was launched to assist the stricken yacht which had lost power and their sails had become tangled in the mast.

Lough Swilly RNLI Press Officer Joe Joyce outlined the operation undertaken by the crew.

"Weather conditions at the time were quite challenging with the wind blowing a force eight," he said.

"Arriving on scene the Lifeboat took the yacht to Culdaff Bay and placed the yacht on a mooring. With the weather conditions being so poor and the yacht having no power with tangled sails, the Lifeboat remained on scene as the crew tried to free themselves to establish power."

At around 3am, a member of the yacht crew managed to get the sails released. However, the weather conditions deteriorated further with the yacht still without power, a decision was made to tow the yacht to the safety of Greencastle Harbour.

Once the yacht had safely arrived in the harbour, the lifeboat volunteers made the difficult journey back to Buncrana Pier, refuelled and made ready for service.

Mr Joyce commended the skill and dedication of the volunteer crew.

"This was a very challenging service call for everyone involved and we wish the crew on the yacht the best of luck as they hope to continue with their race," he said.