Kinsale RNLI volunteers brought a sailor who had been at sea for 52 days safely back to land this weekend.
RNLI’s lifeboat Miss Sally Anne Baggy II – Never Fear, Baggy’s Here, was asked to set out at 6 p.m. Saturday night to assist the yacht’s solo man,
The man had left Carriacou, one of the Grenada islands in the Caribbean, on Thursday, May 13, on his way to the United Kingdom, Corkbeu reports.
However, three weeks into the voyage, the 51-foot-long Sea Symphony lost engine power, forcing her captain to continue his epic voyage of 6,500 km under sail.
According to RNLI, the ship was parked for 10 days when the winds went down and when conditions allowed to sail again, its sails were badly damaged.
By the time the alarm was raised with the Irish Coast Guard on Saturday morning, the ship was traveling at three knots an hour with «no prospect of reaching its intended destination» according to lifeboat volunteers.
(Photo: Kinsale RNLI)
Kinsale RNLI volunteers tracked the ship online all day and became increasingly concerned for its safety before launching a rescue mission off The Old Head of Kinsale.
Lifeboat captain Jonathan Connor put crew member Felix Milner aboard the yacht and, after consultation, decided that taking the tug under tug was the safest way to help the ship reach the nearest safe and proper port.
Crew member Felix Milner remained aboard the yacht for the final leg of the voyage to Port Kinsale to preserve the welfare of the ship’s captain, who was exhausted but unharmed despite his long ordeal.
Arriving in Kinsale at 9.15pm, the sailor enjoyed his first hot bath in more than seven weeks before reuniting with his son and two daughters who live in West Cork and were waiting for him on the pier.
Commenting on the rescue, the sailor said: “The volunteers at Kinsale RNLI are some of the kindest people I have ever met. Their expertise and commitment makes me humble.
«It’s a foundation I’ve always supported and I’ll do for the rest of my days.»
Kinsale RNLI Helm Jonathan Connor added: “It is a tribute to the skill of a sailor who solo traveled 6,500 km and remained calm and focused despite the many problems he faced during his voyage.
«He’s very fit and capable but obviously was exhausted after 52 days alone at sea. We were happy to help him get through the last hurdle and bring him safely to Kinsale.»