02-06-2025
Parrot rescued after yacht loses power en route to the Isle of Man
The rescue was one of two carried out by RNLI lifeboat volunteers in Donaghadee within 48 hours over the weekend.
The crew had received an initial call around 6.35pm on Sunday evening when they were requested by HM Coastguard to go to the aid of a 36ft yacht in difficulty near the Briggs Buoy at Orlock Point.
However, while on their way to the incident, they were retasked to a priority request – known as a 'Pan Pan' – from another yacht to the east.
"The second yacht which was approximately 26 foot with one person and one parrot (called Sid) onboard, and was en route to the Isle of Man,' said a spokesperson.
"It was reported that the yacht lost the main engine and was struggling in the conditions. In good visibility with a slight to moderate sea state, the crew onboard the all-weather lifeboat MacQuarie made best speed and were on scene within 10 minutes.
"Due to the evening drawing in, the freshening sea state and the condition of the skipper and vessel it was determined by the coxswain Philip McNamara, that the best course of action was to secure a tow line to the vessel and return it to the safety of Bangor Harbour.'
Crew member Chris Stewart then boarded the yacht when it was closer to shore and assisted the captain in returning the vessel to the harbour.
The volunteers were then called out for a second time in the early hours of Monday June 2 to respond to a 38ft yacht which had lost power close to the Mew Island with two people on board.
A towline was secured and the vessel was again brought to safety at Bangor Harbour.
Speaking following the call outs, Coxswain Philip McNamara said: 'On both occasions the skippers of these yachts requested assistance as soon as they realised they were in difficulty and before the situation worsened, which was the correct thing to do.
"As always we recommend vessels check their engines and equipment prior to going to sea, and of course wear lifejackets at all times and have a working means of communicating with the coastguard in the event of getting into difficulty.
"I extend my thanks as always to the volunteer crew who responded to these emergencies.'
