Douglas RNLI lifeboat was launched just after 10.30pm last night (Sunday 7th September) to go to the aid of a yacht reported to be taking on water.
 
The RNLI all-weather lifeboat Sir William Hillary was launched under the command of volunteer coxswain Neal Corran to go to the aid of the yacht which had only departed Douglas a couple of hours earlier bound for Preston.
 
The lone yachtsman having been alerted to the problem by his bilge alarm immediately turned around to return to Douglas while calling for assistance. When met by the lifeboat the yacht was making good headway towards Douglas and the yacht’s own bilge pumps were coping with the incoming water.
 
The lifeboat escorted the yacht back to Douglas where lifeboat volunteer crewman Donald Bottomley was put aboard the yacht to assist the lone sailor to a safe berth in the marina, the lifeboat returning to station where it was re-housed, washed down, re-fuelled and was made ready again for service by 12.30am.
 
Photo - Stricken yacht making its way into Douglas inner harbour.