Port St Mary lifeboat rescues yacht in fog

At the time visibility was reduced to 50m due to thick banks of sea mist and as a result, the Port St Mary Trent class all-weather lifeboat Henry Heys Duckworth also responded to assist locating the casualty using the radar. Weather conditions were slight sea with force 1 southerly wind, but with the poor visibility the crew aboard the casualty vessel were unsure of their exact position, having spent many hours trying to start their motor and no wind.

The all-weather lifeboat soon located the vessel using the radar system and arrived on scene at 5.05pm, the lifeboat crew did an initial casualty care check assessing that the crew aboard the casualty vessel were not injured. A further assessment was then carried out to determine the best course of action.

It was decided that a tow was necessary as the casualty vessel had no power and means of navigation and so was a hazard due to the mist persisting. A tow was established at 5.10pm and Coxswain Morgan Guy decided to proceed to Port St Mary due to the tidal state in Castletown.

During the tow the sea mist lifted shortly before reaching the harbour. At this point the tow was transferred to the inshore lifeboat and the casualty vessel was safely moored alongside the inner harbour at 5.40pm, where it was handed over to the local Coastguard Rescue Team.

For Jane-Ann Thompson, this was her first shout since qualifying as a crew member and securing her coveted pager. Jane-Ann stated that ‘all the hours of training came together and the shout had been a textbook operation with all fellow crew members working as a team’ and praised she the camaraderie.

Both lifeboats were refuelled and washed down and placed back on the mooring or rehoused by 6.10pm and were ready for the next shout.

If you're heading out to sea this summer, don't forget to download the RNLI's essential boating checklists to keep you safe on the water. Visit RNLI.org/boostskills.

Notes to editors

• Port St Mary lifeboat station has been operating since 1896.

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For more information please contact David Hill, Port St Mary RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on [email protected] or 07624471410.

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