06-05-2025
Lifeboat crew rescue stricken sailor who got stuck on rocks off Scottish coast
The sailor's yacht got into trouble off Hestan Island in the Solway, with two lifeboat crews and a Coastguard helicopter being sent out.
A stricken sailor had to be rescued after getting stuck on rocks on the Solway.
Two lifeboat crews and a Coastguard helicopter were sent out after the sailor's yacht got into trouble off Hestan Island on Saturday night.
It was deemed to o dangerous to tow the yacht to safety at the time so the sailor was brought to shore by Kippford RNLI. They were uninjured although starting to feel the affects of the cold, with their yacht brought to shore the following day.
Kippford RNLI launch authority, Gordon Blandford, said: 'The sailor had dropped anchor for the night near Hestan Island but due to increasing wind decided to move to a calmer anchorage.
'Upon attempting to restart the engine a mechanical issue was discovered leaving the boat with no power and it was quickly pushed on to the rocks.
'The casualty remained calm and quickly contacted the Coastguard for assistance meaning we were able to help before the situation deteriorated further.
'I'd like to extend my thanks to members of the Solway Yacht Club who assisted the sailor on Sunday to return to the yacht and were able to tow it on a rising tide back to the safety of the SYC pontoons.'
The alarm was raised just after 11pm on Saturday night, with Kippford and Kirkcudbright Lifeboats as well as the Coastguard Rescue 1999 helicopter being sent out.
The Kippford team felt it was too dangerous to try to tow the yacht from the rocks, wth the helicopter unable to safely lower a winchman due to the boats' movement and rigging.
Instead, the sailor managed to get off the yacht onto Hestan Island where they were picked up by the Kippford crew in their D class lifeboat Ronnie Sinclair. They returned to the village around 2am.
They were physically unharmed but starting to feel the affects of the cold, so were given hot drinks and dry clothes at the lifeboat station. Two volunteers provided a bed for the night and a hearty breakfast.
This was a good outcome for the Kippford crew and the first operational call out for new member Stephen.
Rescues like this are only possible thanks to the generosity of public donations and some of the Kippford crew are taking part in the Mayday Mile challenge to help raise money for the RNLI.
Donations can be made by clicking here.
