Bangor RNLI volunteers assist sailor and his dog after yacht takes on water
- Pat Nolan
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Monday 20 July 2026
Bangor RNLI volunteers came to the aid of a sailor and his dog on Sunday afternoon after their yacht began taking on water during a passage from Donaghadee to Belfast.
At 1.57pm on Sunday 19 July, just as some of the volunteer crew were settling down to watch the Formula 1 racing, their pagers sounded, requesting them to launch in response to a yacht in difficulty.
Shortly afterwards, at approximately 2.05pm, Bangor RNLI's Atlantic 85 lifeboat Ruby Robinson launched at the request of Belfast Coastguard to assess reports of a yacht taking on water and in danger of sinking just north of Bangor Harbour.
Weather conditions at the time were favourable, with dry weather, clear skies, a calm sea state and a moderate building breeze.
The volunteer crew quickly located the casualty vessel as it made its way towards Bangor Harbour. They found the sailor and their dog safe and well, with the casualty wearing a lifejacket.
After assessing the situation, the lifeboat crew transferred volunteer crew member John Bell onto the yacht to carry out a further inspection. It was established that although the vessel was taking on water, it was able to continue safely under its own power to the Boatyard pontoon at Bangor Marina.
Ruby Robinson escorted the yacht to the pontoon, where, once safely alongside, the RNLI crew used a salvage pump to remove the water that had entered the vessel. The yacht was then lifted ashore by the boatyard using a crane to allow repairs to be carried out.
Following the incident, Ruby Robinson returned to station, where the lifeboat was refuelled, washed down and made ready for service.
Speaking after the call out, Bangor RNLI Helm Gareth Whan said:
"The boat owner did exactly the correct thing by calling us out to help, which we were only too happy to do."
"We would urge all boat owners to carry out regular maintenance checks on their vessel. Carry spare fuel if possible and ensure that you have a means for calling for assistance if you find yourself in trouble. If you see someone in trouble on the water, or are in difficulties yourself, do not hesitate to call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard."
