FOUR volunteers with Portaferry RNLI have been hailed for their lifesaving efforts in the rescue of two sailors in a yacht fire.
The quartet have been awarded a RNLI commendation from the charity’s Lifesaving Operations Director for their seamanship and teamwork during the rescue bid last September.
The helm on the call out, Scott Blackwood and crew members, Chris Adair, Ros Watret and Molly Crowe, launched the inshore lifeboat Blue Peter V on Saturday, September 7 after the sailors’ 35 foot yacht lost engine power just over one mile north of the Fairway Buoy at the entrance into Strangford Lough.
Soon after the launch, the sailors updated the RNLI with the alarming news that a burning smell was detected onboard the vessel.
The lifeboat arrived on scene within 15 minutes when flames were seen coming from the cabin area. The sailors were well and were transferred to the lifeboat immediately and returned to Portaferry station.
The lifeboat then returned to the location of the burning yacht to ensure there was no threat to other vessels in the area.
Speaking after receiving his award, Scott Blackwood said it was a ‘great honour’ to receive this commendation from the Lifesaving Operations Director.
“I’m grateful to the rest of the crew on the lifeboat that day for their commitment to bringing the casualties to safety. The situation escalated quickly once fire broke out, and we had a very different situation to deal with from what we were originally tasked to.
“It was great to be able to bring both casualties to safety and the recognition from our Lifesaving Operations Director is a great boost to everyone in Portaferry Station,” he said.
Heather Kennedy, Portaferry RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, added: “The crew was tasked to a yacht making little headway without engine power in the calm conditions, and dealt with a very different situation once on scene. The swift decision making of the crew is what gave this rescue a good outcome.”
