The RNLI has confirmed that six crew members were rescued after a seven‑hour overnight operation following a 46‑foot yacht’s collision with a fish farm in Red Bay, off the coast of Antrim, in severe weather conditions.
The Call‑out
At 3.22 am on Saturday, 12 September, the Belfast Coastguard received a Mayday distress signal from a vessel making the passage from Oban to Portugal. The 46‑foot yacht had struck a fish farm in Red Bay amid winds reaching 60 knots, leaving it powerless and adrift.
The Night‑time Rescue
Red Bay’s all‑weather lifeboat was launched immediately, with the inshore lifeboat also deployed to provide additional support. Coxswain Paddy McLaughlin, accompanied by five crew members, navigated the short distance to the stricken yacht in total darkness, battling Force 9 gusts and heavy rain throughout the night.
The crew decided that the safest course was for the six sailors to remain aboard their vessel while the lifeboat kept a vigilant watch until first light at 7.30 am. The operation continued in treacherous seas, with the lifeboat maintaining a close presence as the vessel drifted in the tangled netting of the fish farm.
The Dawn Release
At 9.30 am the team succeeded in freeing the yacht from the cages, and the vessel was then guided safely into Glenarm. The sailors arrived at 10 am, where Larne Coastguard personnel offered further assistance. All six individuals were reported to be unharmed.
Reflections from the Crew
Speaking after the call‑out, Coxswain Paddy McLaughlin said: “This was a challenging call out in difficult weather conditions, but we were delighted to bring the sailors to safety, and we would like to wish them well. We would also like to commend our colleagues in the Coastguard and thank our crew who responded quickly in the middle of the night, launched our lifeboats in darkness and made their way to the scene in what were gale force conditions, and for then spending seven hours at sea. This shout was a great example of the selfless and dedicated efforts of volunteers who used their skills and training to bring six people to safety in what was a challenging operation.”
Why it Matters
This rescue underscores the vital role of volunteer lifeboat crews and the coordinated efforts of maritime rescue services in safeguarding lives at sea. In an era of increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, the swift actions of the RNLI and its partners demonstrate how community‑driven expertise can turn a potentially fatal incident into a successful outcome, reinforcing public confidence in emergency response capabilities along the UK’s rugged coastline.
