Yacht crew in trouble rescued by RNLI after firing flares

18/09/2023

Search and rescue teams launched to a yacht crew member in trouble at Whithorn Harbour, Scotland, that was firing flares.

Kirkcudbright RNLI was sent, along with HM Coastguard and Port William Independent Inshore Rescue (PIRSAC) one evening in August. There had been reports of a vessel firing distress flares.

This was after a hectic weekend for the crew with a callout and a very successful multi-agency Emergency Services Day.

Kirkcudbright RNLI attaches line

When Kirkcudbright RNLI Sheila Stenhouse lifeboat crew arrived on the scene after a rough passage, the Port William boat had managed to attach a line to the yacht in distress and bring a crew member aboard.

However, the yacht had dragged its anchor and entangled in a lobster pot close to rocks and was in danger of running aground.

After cutting the yacht’s anchor to free the vessel, Kirkcudbright RNLI lifeboat crew attached a towline to the yacht. It was safely taken into the Isle of Whithorn Harbour and secured.

Deteriorating weather

HM Coastguard then informed the RNLI lifeboat that the deteriorating weather was forecast to get worse and the decision was made to secure the Sheila Stenhouse overnight in the harbour at the Isle of Whithorn.

The crew were then transported back to Kirkcudbright by road, a trip of over 50 miles.

A second crew was taken back to the Isle of Whithorn on Monday and the boat was finally re-housed and refuelled at the station.

Lifeboat Operations Manager John Collins says, “It is some time since we worked with our service partners Port William Independent Inshore Lifeboat and the HM Coastguard at the Isle of Whithorn and once again teamwork produced a successful outcome. We were particularly grateful to HM Coastguard team who transported our crew part of the way back to Kirkcudbright where they were met by our shore crew in our RNLI Land Rover. It was a rescue involving a lot of people.”

Source and image: Kirkcudbright RNLI