RNLI lifeboats launched after crew fall ill on yacht to Belfast

Both Red Bay RNLI lifeboats launched this morning after a 28ft yacht travelling from Oban in Scotland to Belfast got into difficulty.

The crew fell ill in challenging sea conditions and were unable to safely command their vessel. 

They raised the alarm at 8.30am this morning when they were unable to continue their journey due to the conditions which caused four of the crew to become unwell.

The yacht’s anchor had also been dragging the vessel throughout the night.

Sea conditions off the Antrim coast today were described by the lifeboat crew as ‘challenging’ as easterly winds created rolling seas.

Once the alarm was raised, both Red Bay lifeboats were launched, and when on scene two lifeboat crew were put aboard the yacht to bring it back to Cushendall, escorted by the lifeboats.

Once on land, the crew of the yacht received medical assistance from paramedics.

Red Bay RNLI Coxswain Paddy McLaughlin said: "Conditions off the Antrim coast this morning are quite challenging, with rolling seas and easterly winds.

"This would have been a difficult passage for the crew, and they made the right call when they raised the alarm.

"With the anchor dragging, it was becoming increasingly difficult for the crew to continue their journey and the motion of the vessel would have severely hampered their attempts."

The rescue was co-ordinated by Belfast coastguard and land-based coastguard teams from Ballycastle and Larne also attended.

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