Lengthy call-out for Arranmore RNLI on call to assist yacht in difficulty

The volunteer crew of the Arranmore RNLI responded to a call for assistance from Malin Head Coast Guard to a yacht with loss of power with one person on board 18 miles west of Arranmore at 2:41am on Sunday.

The crew were about to board the all-weather lifeboat when they were asked to stand down by Malin Head as the yacht’s helm had managed to raise the sails and was proceeding as planned.

The crew returned home and at 7:43am they were again asked by the Coast Guard to proceed to the same area as the yacht was failing to make progress. On reaching the casualty the lifeboat crew established a tow and proceeded to tow the yacht to safe moorings at Arranmore where acting lifeboat mechanic Reamon O’Donnell offered to examine the engine.

On examination, Reamon identified and fixed the problem and provided the yacht with fuel. Crew on board the lifeboat were, Coxswain Jimmy Early, mechanic Reamon O’Donnell, Sean Gallagher, Jamie Neeson, Sharon O’Donnell, Finbar Gallagher and John Boyle. The lifeboat returned to anchor at 1:45pm having refuelled at Burtonport following a six-hour call out. The yachtsman decided to stay at anchor at Arranmore to rest overnight.

This is the second call for the all-weather lifeboat in five days. At 10:45pm on Tuesday evening, 23 April the volunteer crew assisted in a medical evacuation from Arranmore to a waiting ambulance at Burtonport.

Coxswain Jimmy Early said: “We are always happy to give assistance where needed. The yachtsman was really grateful for all the help in towing him to safety and repairing his engine, we have a really dedicated crew here on Arranmore and they are always prepared to go above and beyond the call of duty. We are, at present, recruiting crew members for the lifeboat and invite anybody interested in joining to come to the station for a look and a chat.”