Bangor RNLI crew tow stricken yacht to safety
Sunday 20 September 2026
Bangor RNLI volunteers came to the aid of three people aboard a yacht after mechanical failure left the vessel in danger of drifting towards rocks off Bally McCormick Point.
The alarm was raised at 3.20pm on Saturday 19 September, when HM Coastguard requested the launch of Bangor RNLI’s inshore Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Ruby Robinson.
A Force 6 wind was blowing at the time, although visibility remained good. With the yacht’s engine disabled, the three people aboard faced the growing danger of being carried towards the rocks by wind and tide.
The volunteer crew, helm Gavin Mitchell, John, Christine and Charlie, made best speed towards Bally McCormick Point.
When Ruby Robinson arrived, the situation was quickly assessed. The yacht’s crew were safe and well, and the cause of their predicament was found to be mechanical failure. With the vessel unable to make its own way to safety, the lifeboat crew established a tow line and began the passage back to Bangor Marina.
The sea can change quickly, and an apparently minor mechanical problem can become something more serious when a vessel is close to a lee shore. In this case, the decision to call for assistance had been made before the situation deteriorated.
Bangor RNLI helm Gavin Mitchell said the three people aboard had made the right decision in asking for help.
“The crew had made the right decision in asking for assistance and we would like to wish them well. They were wearing the correct safety equipment.”
The callout is also a reminder of the importance of preparing a vessel before putting to sea. The RNLI encourages anyone planning a trip to check their boat carefully and ensure that engines are properly maintained.
Skippers should carry adequate tools and spare parts, and make sure there is sufficient fuel for the planned journey.
And if things do go wrong, early action can make all the difference. Anyone who gets into difficulty at sea, or sees someone else in trouble, should call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.
