Six rescued

An Ocean Youth Trust yacht has sunk after running aground on a reef while under power. The Oyster 70 Lord Rank hit the Carrick Mannon Rock at Kenbane Head Ballycastle, Northern Ireland.

She was on passage from Ballycastle to Portrush. Her six crew, which included Downtown Radio presenters who were taking part in a Charity Broadcasting fundraising event, were taken off by Portrush and Redbay lifeboats.A  helicopter was scrambled from Sligo which illuminated the area while the rescue took place.

Lord Rank, is designed and fitted out to provide young people the opportunity to share the challenges of offshore sailing. Operating out of Bangor, Lord Rank was regularly seen around the Irish Sea, Isle of Man and the Clyde. The vessel operates under the Maritime and Coastguard Agency ‘Code of Practice for Sail Training Vessels’ which regulates the vessel construction, safety equipment and qualifications of the crew.