The Kippford RNLI volunteer crew were tasked by the Coastguard just after 11pm on Saturday 3rd May to assist a sailor who had gotten into difficulty off Hestan Island.
The crew assembled at the lifeboat station and the Kippford inshore lifeboat Ronnie Sinclair was launched a little over an hour after low tide that evening. The D Class lifeboat is ideal for the tidal conditions we experience in Kippford and the crew reached the stricken vessel in 13 minutes. Conditions on scene were calm with a cool north easterly wind.
Once on scene the crew could see a small yacht on the rocks off Hestan Island, they were able to make contact with the sailor and confirm there were no injuries sustained. Coastguard helicopter Rescue 199 and Kirkcudbright RNLI were also making their way to the scene to assist.
After assessing the situation it was decided that it was too dangerous to attempt to tow the yacht from the rocks. The helicopter was unable to safely lower a winchman to the vessel due to the boat movement and rigging. The sailor was able to safely exit the yacht on to Hestan Island and the Kippford lifeboat retrieved them from the shore line and returned to Kippford arriving back at 2am.
The casualty was assessed by our crew and found to be physically unharmed although starting to feel the affects of the cold due to the length of time outside. Hot drinks and dry clothes were provided at the lifeboat station and the casualty was given a bed for the night and a hearty breakfast by two of our volunteers.
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.’
This was another good outcome for the Kippford lifeboat crew and was also a first operational call out for crew member Stephen who joined last year. 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 to this can be made online at https://fundraise.rnli.org/fundraisers/KippfordRNLI
