Lifeboats were called into action more than a dozen times in 24 hours over the weekend to help stricken boats across the UK and Ireland
In Ramsgate alone, Lifeboats were called into action more than six times over the weekend, including rescuing six people and a dog from a yacht aground in the mouth of the river Stour at Pegwell Bay.
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Off the West Cork coast on Sunday, two men were rescued by Union Hall RNLI when the engine on their pleasure craft failed. John Kelleher, Union Hall RNLI Lifeboat operations manager, said: “The crew onboard the pleasure boat did the right thing this afternoon by alerting the emergency services once they found themselves in difficulty.
And in Cornwall, Padstow Lifeboat launched to assist a 35-foot yacht that had neither engine or sail power. The yacht was towed safely back to Padstow Harbour for repairs. Alan Tarby, RNLI volunteer Coxswain said: “The yacht’s three crew were able to make their way very slowly under one small sail to within 7 miles of Padstow. At which point we picked them up, attaching a tow and bringing them safely into the harbour.”
Elsewhere, a yacht was towed to Portrush Harbour by Portrush all-weather Lifeboat after its engine failed. Portrush RNLI Lifeboat operations manager Robin Cardwell said: “As this is the start of the summer season, our crew are expecting the pace of work to get busier. The yachtsmen did the right thing in alerting the Coastguard when they found themselves in difficulty. This was a textbook operation in good conditions. We would encourage everyone to check sea conditions and the condition of their boat before leaving harbour.”