Lifeboat launched to go to the aid of a becalmed yacht

Douglas lifeboat was launched yesterday morning following reports of a yacht in difficulty.

The yacht with three people on board had been making for Douglas having left the UK the previous evening when it ran into difficulty approximately 26 miles south east of Douglas in the early hours of the morning.

The yacht had been making good progress towards the Island when the wind dropped leaving the yacht to continue making way under power. The yacht's engine then overheated and failed at which point the crew radioed the Coastguard for assistance.

After ensuring that the yacht's occupants were not in need of any assistance themselves, the yacht was taken under tow back to Douglas harbour to a berth on the Visitors' Pontoon at the Battery Pier where the Douglas Coastguard were waiting to assist.