Yacht rescued after over 19 hours at sea

Three lifeboats - including rescue crews from Ramsey and Douglas - a helicopter and the Ben-my-Chree were involved in the dramatic rescue just after 9am. 

 

The yacht had transmitted a mayday signal after the crew became disorientated in the rough sea - they'd set off from Fleetwood at 2pm on Thursday but by 6am the next day still hadn't reached land. 

 

The Ben-my-Chree also joined the rescue effort - changing its route to locate the yacht and manoeuvring alongside it to offer protection from the weather. 

 

Ramsey Lifeboat arrived on scene at 11am and a doctor and first aider were transferred to the yacht to help the crew who were suffering from severe seasickness and exhaustion.

 

Volunteer crews towed the yacht away from the Ben-my-Chree with Barrow Lifeboat taking over around 20 minutes later to tow it back to Fleetwood.