RNLI Red Bay Lifeboat volunteer crew assists stricken yacht off Rathlin Island

On the tow: RNLI Redbay towing the stricken vessel to Ballycastle Harbour, on the Antrim coast.

It was a busy weekend for the volunteer crew of RNLI Red Bay Lifeboat, who responded to multiple callouts as well as supporting a major sporting event.

On Saturday 23rd August at 15.55, the lifeboat crew were paged to assist a 13-metre yacht that had suffered engine failure four miles east of Rathlin Island.

The yacht, with three people on board, was drifting dangerously close to the busy shipping separation zone while on passage to Scotland.

The lifeboat crew reached the vessel and secured a tow, bringing it safely into Ballycastle Harbour. The crew returned to station at 19.15.

The previous day, Friday 22nd August, Red Bay RNLI launched after an emergency location signal from a fishing boat was picked up by Belfast Coastguard near Rathlin Island.

After investigation, the incident was confirmed as an accidental activation, and the crew returned to Cushendall.

RNLI Redbay pricing support for the GOAT triathlon in Cushendall.

In addition to the callouts, the lifeboat crew also provided support for the GOAT triathlon in Cushendall on Saturday, which saw around 170 competitors taking to the water.

A spokesperson for the RNLI praised the dedication of the volunteers, highlighting the importance of their role in ensuring safety at sea and within the local community.