Port St Mary Lifeboat Station ILB Callouts: 23 December 1999

Time: 11:55 launched to 12:45 recovered; Weather :Wind SSW 7

16ft Open Motorboat, "Shiralee" reported to be in difficulties very close to rocks underneath the old Carrick Hotel apartments with 1 person on board. A 'spring' high tide had just passed and with fresh southerly winds a large swell had developed on the slipway used to launch the ILB. This resulted in difficulties in launching, however on a second attempt the ILB got away. The motor boat was found to be anchored over a reef of rocks which was covered by the tide. Sheltered conditions meant that the ILB was able to come alongside the craft and pass a towline. After a slight delay when the towline fouled the casualties outboard engine, the boat was towed into Port St Mary Inner Harbour without further event. It transpired that the engine had run out of fuel whilst manouvering within the inner harbour and had been blown out of the harbour before the occupant could deploy the boats anchor. Due to the high tide the ILB was recovered on the slip at the top of the inner harbour rather than at the lifeboat slip at the breakwater.

( copyright Brian Kelly, PSM RNLI )