Port St Mary lifeboats tow two stricken boats into Castletown Harbour

Both Port St Mary RNLI lifeboats were launched on Sunday 11 October to bring two boats with engine trouble off Langness safely into Castletown Harbour, according to Isle of Man Today.

Volunteers were paged at 13:46 after a small fishing vessel broke down near the shore. Its crew had dropped anchor, but the boat was still drifting because the anchor would not hold.

The all-weather lifeboat Henry Heys Duckworth, with seven volunteers aboard, and the inshore lifeboat Frank Martin, with four, launched at 13:56. When they arrived nine minutes later, a speed boat in the area was already towing the fishing vessel. Before long, though, the speed boat’s own engine failed, leaving both craft needing help.

The inshore crew towed the fishing boat to the harbour while the all-weather lifeboat took the speed boat. Once the first boat was safely in, the inshore lifeboat went back out and took over the second tow. The Isle of Man Coastguard checked everyone on board both boats once they were ashore.

Two volunteers were on their first shouts, as RNLI call-outs are known. One, Sarah, said: “All the practising paid off and it was great to be part of such a good team.”

A station spokesperson said the rescue had ended well but showed why preparation matters before heading out. They advised boat users to keep their vessels well maintained, wear proper lifejackets and take a dependable way of calling for help.