Three yachts saved PARTICIPANTS IN THE Isle of Man's round the island race in May found themselves contending with a south-south-westerly gale and very high seas. It was at 2240 on the night of Sunday May 25, 1986, when the honorary secretary of Ramsey lifeboat received a call to say that several yachts from the race were in difficulties and unable to make harbour.

Eight minutes later the station's 37ft Oakley class, James Ball Ritchie, was launched with Coxswain James Kinnin in command and a crew of seven aboard. The first yacht in trouble, Airy Fairy, was a mile to the north north east of the station. The lifeboat located her and passed a towline but it parted again almost immediately. The line was reconnected and the lifeboat began to tow the yacht towards Ramsey Harbour. Bynow the gale had increased to severe gale, force 9, gusting 10 with seas becoming very high and a 15 to 20 foot swell.

Harbour was reached at 2335, the tow slipped and the lifeboat headed back out to sea, this time towards Whitestone Bank Buoy, five miles to the north to the aid of the yacht Billy Whizz. She had finished the race but could make no headway to windward and was drifting towards the Point of Ayre.

The lifeboat arrived alongside at 0017 and was soon towing her back to Ramsey.

As soon as Billy Whizz was safe inside the harbour the lifeboat slipped the tow and headed out again for a third yacht, Broadaxe whose engine had failed by Bahama Bank, seven miles north east by east of Ramsey. When the lifeboat reached her at 0230 she was having difficulty sailing and a tow was attached.

The tow parted a minute later but was re-established and at 0510 both vessels were back inside the harbour.

The lifeboat was then beached for recovery and was finally rehoused at 0540, over seven hours after having first set out.

Following this service a letter, signed by Rear Admiral W. J. Graham, RNLI director, was sent to the station conveying thanks and appreciation to Coxswain Kinnin and his crew for their efforts in such adverse weather..