26/08/2009

Bad Weather Threatens Sailors

As bad weather delays Irish sea travel, two men have been rescued from their yacht off Bangor.

As severe weather caused by the last remnants of Tropical Storm Bill reached across from the Caribbean, the RNLI Bangor Lifeboat launched at around 5.40am this morning (Wednesday) after a 27ft yacht experienced engine failure, two miles north of the Co Down harbour.

The sailors had been at sea for almost 18 hours in winds gusting up to force 7 and driving rain reducing visibility.

The RNLI said they were "exhausted" and a volunteer lifeboat crewman was put on board the disabled yacht and it was towed to the safety of Bangor Marina.

RNLI Bangor Lifeboat provides a 24-hour on call rescue service dedicated to saving lives at sea.

To date, RNLI Bangor Lifeboat has participated in 48 rescue operations this year including two as hundreds of small vessels launched to see off the Tall Ships Parade of Sail last weekend.

Today's weather across NI is quite severe as the edge of the fading storm crosses the Atlantic.

Rain will be heavy at times this morning and will give as much as 15 mm of rain over three hours in places, mainly on higher ground and especially over southern and western facing slopes, with some places receiving overall totals exceeding 30 mm.

The public are advised to take extra care and refer to the latest Environment Agency Floodline and 'Flood Warnings in Force', and to the Highways Agency for further advice on traffic disruption on motorways and trunk roads.

See: 'Bill' Hits North Of England

(BMcC/GK)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

19 May 2015
RNLI Launches Search For Missing Ferry Passenger
Bangor Coastguard and Donaghadee Lifeboat have launched a search after receiving a report of a missing person from an overnight ferry. The ferry was travelling from Birkenhead in Liverpool to Belfast. The RNLI received a call at 8.40am after the ferry arrived. Crews were launched at 8.54am.
03 August 2015
Three Rescued After Boat Capsizes Off Calf Island
Three people have been rescued after their boat capsized off Calf Island, at the northern end of Strangford Lough on Sunday. The three men had been out on an 11ft Dory when it broke down and capsized leaving them to make their way to the nearby Calf Island and raise the alarm.
09 June 2016
Divers Missing Off Coast Of Whitehead Found 'Safe And Well'
Three divers reported missing off the coast at Blackhead, near Whitehead, Co Antrim, have been found "safe and well". The alarm was raised at about 5.30pm on Wednesday, 08 June, about 40 minutes after the three divers were expected to return.
21 February 2006
RNLI experience 'busiest' year in 2005
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has today released figures stating that 2005 was the busiest year on record for rescues. Some 236 people were rescued from Northern Ireland waters by the nine RNLI lifeboat stations and their 300 strong volunteer crewmembers.
20 May 2022
Bangor Awarded City Status
Bangor has been given official City Status as part of the 2022 Platinum Jubilee Civic Honours Competition, Ards and North Down Borough Council has announced. For the first time in a City Status competition, an expert panel worked with Ministers to make their recommendations, before being approved by Her Majesty The Queen.