Ramsey RNLI lifeboat, the RNLB Ann & James Ritchie, was launched shortly before 8:00 this morning, Wednesday 26 August, to go to the assistance of a visiting French yacht anchored in Ramsey Bay.
The 30 foot fin keel yacht had anchored over night just off Ramsey Harbour. The anchor winch failed this morning whilst the lone yachtsman was attempting to raise the anchor. With a freshening south-westerly wind and groundswell he was unable to raise the anchor single handed so he used the vessels VHF radio to inform Liverpool Coastguard of his plight. Liverpool Coastguard then contacted the duty harbour keeper in Ramsey and it was decided to launch Ramsey lifeboat to assist the yacht.
Once the lifeboat was at the scene two crew members from the lifeboat were transferred to the yacht. They manually raised the anchor, with the yachtsman assisting at the engine controls. The yacht, under its own power and escorted by the lifeboat, was then able to proceed safely into Ramsey Harbour.
Ramsey’s Mersey class all-weather lifeboat returned to station, was rehoused and ready for service once again by 9:45. Ramsey RNLI’s volunteer crew were stood down and returned to their normal daily lives.
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