Port St Mary Lifeboat Station - Callouts: 5th May,2001
Saturday evening, 5th May, Port St Mary lifeboat was called to go to the aid of a 70 year old single-handed yachtsman some 13 miles to the south of Island.
The man had sailed from Beaumaris, Anglesey bound for Port St Mary in his 28 foot long yacht, the "Corazel" at 8 am Saturday morning. However by early Saturday evening problems had started to arise with the gearbox of the boats' auxillary engine. Due to the northerly head winds (northerly force three) the man had been using both motor and sail but was making slow progress at 2 knots. He contacted Coastguards at Liverpool at 7:45pm to inform them of his problems but he was not in immediate difficulties and it was decided to monitor his progress.
An hour and a quarter later, after talking again with the Coastguards at Liverpool it was decided it would be best if Port St Mary lifeboat was dispatched to his aid before nightfall set in.
The relief Trent lifeboat "Inner Wheel II", 14-29, left her moorings at 9:20 pm and located the yacht at 10:15 pm. The yachts self furling jib (fore sail) had become jammed and thus could only stay on the same tack. Two lifeboat crew members were transferred over to the yacht to check that the man was OK and arrange to take a tow line from the lifeboat. However, first the lifeboat crew had to clear the jib so that it could be fully stowed before towing could commence, 15 minutes later the sail was stowed and the tow line secured.
Coastguards were advised that the man was fatigued but otherwise OK and both boats proceeded back to Port St Mary at 7 knots arriving there at ten minutes after midnight without further event.
Edited 6 May 2001