DONAGHADEE’S lifeboat volunteers had an early start on Wednesday answering a call for help from a racing yacht stranded in the North Channel.
Fools Gold, with three crew aboard, was making its way from Cork to the west of Scotland for a sailing event when it was rendered unable to manoeuvre by calm seas and engine failure. As night fell the 12 metre vessel called for assistance fearing a power failure could leave it adrift without lights and communications.
The RNLI’s Saxon launched at 1.15am and reached the yacht’s position, seven miles south of South Rock, at 3.00am. The stricken vessel was towed back to Donaghadee and the lifeboat crew was home for breakfast by 5.00am.