Flares fired in Mayday search

05/06/2019

Flares were fired in North West England after a tender broke free of a yacht with a man on board.

Both of Barrow-in-Furness’ RNLI lifeboats were launched late one night in May after it was reported that a yacht with engine trouble in Walney Channel sent out a Mayday call.  The coastguard reported that a small dinghy with one man on board had broken free near Piel Island, and was drifting out into Morecambe Bay.
The inshore lifeboat, Vision of Tamworth, was launched and searched the area along with the all-weather lifeboat, Grace Dixon. The wind was north-westerly, Force 4-5, and the high tide was 9.1 metres.
Flares were fired from the lifeboats and by local Coastguard crews to illuminate the search area.

At around 11pm, the man reported that he had drifted to the shore and was now on solid ground, but was unsure of his position.
The crew of the Vision of Tamworth located him at the southern end of Foulney Island. The uninjured man and his dinghy were returned safely back to the yacht.
It then transpired that the original problem was caused by a rope fouling the propeller so the yacht was securely moored near Piel Island.
The picture shows the Inshore Lifeboat Vision of Tamworth and is courtesy of the RNLI and Chris Clouter.