Two calls in day for Douglas lifeboat

Engine failure sparks first launch

Douglas lifeboat was launched twice on Sunday.

It was called out at 4.41pm when the battery of a RIB failed, rendering the boat immobile.

Just one person was on board and had set sail from the Fort Anne slipway in Douglas only for the battery to fail in Laxey Bay.

All-weather lifeboat, the Sir William Hillary, under the command of volunteer coxswain Graeme Cushnie, was quickly on the scene.

The occupant of the RIB was transferred to the lifeboat and the boat towed back to Douglas.

Earlier in the day, the lifeboat had been called out after a small vessel reported engine failure. Sir William Hillary went to the aid of the vessel, which had three people on board, at 9.20am.

She had making her way to Barrow in the company of another similar vessel.

Her crew then managed to restart their engine so the lifeboat was stood down by the Coastguard and returned to station.