Lifeboat crew rescue lone sailor on Swiss yacht off north Mayo coast

Ballyglass RNLI came to the aid of a lone sailor yesterday evening (Tuesday) after he experienced a health difficulty in the North Atlantic Sea.

The all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch by Malin Head Coast Guard to assist the sailor on an 11m yacht who was somewhat incapacitated by a knee injury.

The yacht was located four miles north-west of Eagle Island and approximately 14 nautical miles from the lifeboat station.

The volunteer crew received the alert just before 5 p.m. and the lifeboat was underway shortly after under Coxswain James Mangan.

Weather conditions were tricky, with a small craft warning in place, a north-westerly wind force 5/6 and sea state choppy and swelly.

When the five crew onboard arrived on scene they assessed the situation and communicated with the sailor, who was fit to sail into Broadhaven Bay single-handed but required help mooring.

The lifeboat escorted the yacht to calmer waters in Broadhaven Bay where it was safe for one of the crew to transfer to the vessel to bring her to the nearest safe moorings at Ballyglass pier. They were met there by Ballyglass Coast Guard Unit and the ambulance service who took over the care of the casualty once ashore.

Speaking following the call-out, Ballyglass RNLI Coxswain James Mangan said: “We were pleased with the safe return of all and we would like to wish the sailor well and commend and thank our colleagues from the ambulance service and Ballyglass Coast Guard Unit and our own shore crew.”

Crew on this call-out included Coxswain James Mangan, mechanic Allen Murray, navigator Stephen Togher and crew members John Gaughan, Pat Coyne and Seán Reilly.