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03/08/2004
Four rescued from sinking yacht
Four people have been rescued from a sinking yacht, which was en route from Belfast to Iceland before running into difficulties in the North Atlantic.
The crew of The Spirit were 200 miles away from the Scottish island of Lewis, when the craft was hit by a wave which fractured the hull and caused the boat to take on water. Coastguards detected a distress signal from the yacht at 8pm on Monday evening, and launched a rescue helicopter, which was covered by an RAF Nimrod in case of further difficulties.
The men were winched to safety by the helicopter crew, who arrived at the scene at around midnight. While the craft was barely afloat by the time the men were reached, the crew were dressed in survival suits, and had been able to communicate with the incoming helicopter via satellite phone link-up.
The men were taken to Stornoway on Lewis, where they received a medical examination.
RAF Spokesperson, Mike Mulford, praised the crew for remaining calm in a dangerous situation. He said: "They had all the equipment they needed, they had a beacon, they knew where they were and had communications.
"Although no-one wants to go through something like that, in many ways it was a text-book operation."
The crew of The Spirit were 200 miles away from the Scottish island of Lewis, when the craft was hit by a wave which fractured the hull and caused the boat to take on water. Coastguards detected a distress signal from the yacht at 8pm on Monday evening, and launched a rescue helicopter, which was covered by an RAF Nimrod in case of further difficulties.
The men were winched to safety by the helicopter crew, who arrived at the scene at around midnight. While the craft was barely afloat by the time the men were reached, the crew were dressed in survival suits, and had been able to communicate with the incoming helicopter via satellite phone link-up.
The men were taken to Stornoway on Lewis, where they received a medical examination.
RAF Spokesperson, Mike Mulford, praised the crew for remaining calm in a dangerous situation. He said: "They had all the equipment they needed, they had a beacon, they knew where they were and had communications.
"Although no-one wants to go through something like that, in many ways it was a text-book operation."
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
