THE lifeboat rescued a yacht and crew when they became becalmed in the Irish Sea on Good Friday – April 18, 2014.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution responded to a request for assistance from the Coastguard and the All-Weather Lifeboat Saxon was at sea within 10 minutes at 3.47pm.
At the scene, close to South Rock south of Portavogie, a tow line was established to the 31-foot vessel. It had suffered engine failure and was unable to make headway by sail in the calm conditions. The yacht was towed to Donaghadee in an operation lasting more than two hours. The lifeboat stood down at 6.05pm.