By Julie Waters
TWO people were rescued from a yacht by Portaferry RNLI after their engine caught fire in Strangford Lough.
The 35ft yacht had lost engine power and a burning smell was detected on the yacht after a distress call was made last Saturday (7th) at 5.27pm.
The situation ‘escalated quickly’ as the lifeboat crew observed flames in the cabin area and brought the two sailors to safety off the burning yacht.
The inshore lifeboat, the Blue Peter V, reached the stranded yacht within 15 minutes, just over one mile north of the Fairway Buoy at the entrance into Strangford Lough.
Both casualties were brought to the safety of the lifeboat before being returned to Portaferry and put ashore to the waiting Coastguard team.
The lifeboat returned to the scene at the request of the Coastguard, to ensure the burning yacht was no danger to any other vessels in the area and returned to the Portaferry station at 8.30pm.
Following the incident, Portaferry helm Scott Blackwood said: “When we arrived on scene and boarded the vessel, we acted quickly to get the casualties off the yacht. Once they had been returned to shore, our concern was the burning yacht being a danger to other vessels in the area and we stayed on scene until the risk was minimal.
“The yacht crew did the right thing in asking for assistance as soon as they had a problem with the engine. The situation escalated quickly and we were there to bring them to safely because they had a means of calling for help and made the call early.”
Heather Kennedy, Portaferry RNLI Lifeboat operations manager said: “The swift reactions of all our crew, both onboard and ashore led to a happier and safer outcome than might have been. We urge boat users to check the weather and tides before venturing out.
“Always wear a lifejacket or suitable personal flotation device for your activity and always carry a means of calling for help. Should you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”
