A Royal Navy helicopter has rescued two children from a stricken boat in the North Atlantic.
The Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) suffered engine failure on a
crossing from Northern Ireland's Rathlin Island to Port Ellen on Islay
on Sunday night.A Sea King helicopter was scrambled from HMS Gannet in Prestwick, Scotland, at 19:25 as the vessel began to drift off course.
The children were winched to safety. Their father stayed with the boat which was towed by the Port Ellen lifeboat. They had drifted considerably off course - they were about 15 nautical miles north west of Rathlin Island. Effectively they were heading further and further out into the ocean with every passing minute.
Lt Lewis said the Sea King crew used thermal imaging to pinpoint the stricken vessel.
The HMS Gannet Sea King crew used thermal imaging to help locate the vessel
The Sea King crew delivered the two children back to their mother on the scottish island, Islay
within 15 minutes.The Port Ellen lifeboat was still 40 minutes away and dad stayed with the RIB so that it could be towed back to harbour, while the Sea King helicopter delivered the children back to their mum. It was was quite an emotional reunion.
No comments:
Post a Comment