"Gough Ritchie II" & speedboat off Douglas Head Lighthouse
Entering Douglas outer harbour - Douglas Lifeboathouse in the center background
Port St Mary Lifeboat Station - Callouts: Sunday, 30 August 1999.
Wind S 4-5. Time:09.15 - 11:45 am
Called to assist a 17ft speedboat with two people on board reported in difficulties very close inshore at Marine Drive approximately 1 mile from Douglas and 12 miles from Port St Mary. The occupants of the boat had been 'drift' fishing between Douglas Head and Port Soderick and whilst returning to Douglas had run out of fuel. At first they had tried to row however they soon realised that with an ebb tide and onshore wind they would not succeed. Thus they decided to anchor close inshore (where their anchor scope would be able to reach the bottom) and try to summon the attention of walkers on the Marine Drive some 150ft above them.
The ILB used to take vessel out into deepwater so that the all weather lifeboat could pass a towline .The Gough Ritchie II then towed the boat into Douglas.
Douglas Lifeboat was out of service hence Port St Mary Lifeboat response to this incident. The Douglas Lifeboat crew were away on this day picking up a relief lifeboat from Holyhead, N Wales.
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"Gough Ritchie II" & speedboat off Douglas Head Lighthouse |
Entering Douglas outer harbour - Douglas Lifeboathouse in the center background |
Copyright photographs PSM Lifeboat crew