Ramsey RNLI volunteers acted swiftly yesterday, Sunday 13 August, to rescue a small vessel with engine failure drifting less than 20 feet from Bulgham Rocks, Laxey.

The 16-foot open Dory had suffered failure of both engines and although the two-man crew had deployed an anchor the vessel was still in danger of drifting onto the rocks. The skipper of the stricken vessel promptly alerted the UK Coastguard of their situation. Belfast Coastguard then requested the launch of Ramsey lifeboat.

Ramsey’s Mersey class lifeboat, RNLB Ann & James Ritchie, was launched at 17:45 with Coxswain Mark Kenyon at the helm. Twenty minutes later the lifeboat reached the stricken vessel, took it safely in tow and then on to a safe berth in Laxey Harbour.

The skipper of the dory later sent a message to Ramsey RNLI expressing his gratitude: ‘I really have no idea what we would do if it weren't for you guys keeping the seas safe. Please pass on my thanks to everyone involved, including the shore crew. You are a cracking bunch of people and having now, unfortunately, seen you operating from the other side of the fenders, I can say how thoroughly professional the whole operation was and how very glad we were to see you charging over the horizon.’

Photo - Passing the tow rope from Ramsey lifeboat to the casualty vessel.  Courtesy of RNLI/Ali Clague.