Port St Mary RNLI launched both its inshore and all-weather lifeboats on Saturday evening after a swimmer had found themselves in difficulty in Castletown Bay.

While the all-weather Trent class lifeboat Gough Ritchie 2 and the D- Class inshore lifeboat Spirit of Leicester made their way to the scene, a vessel, which was moored in Castletown Bay, had heard the distress call and set off in search of the casualty.

Shortly after they located the swimmer and took them aboard.

Both of Port St Mary’s lifeboats proceeded to the location of the vessel, where the swimmer was transferred onto the inshore lifeboat Spirit of Leicester.

They assessed the casualty and found them to be safe and well, before returning to Castletown Harbour and handing the person over to the Isle of Man Coastguard.

Following the call-out coxswain Michael Keggen said: ‘I wish to thank the nearby vessel for their quick thinking and response, which ultimately helped to save the casualty’s life.’

Lifeboat operations manager Sarah Keggen went on to say: ‘We’re pleased that the casualty was recovered safe and well, and wish to praise them for being equipped with a hand-held VHF radio which enabled them to call for help when they realised they were in difficulty.

’It’s vital when partaking in activities around the sea that you carry a means of communication and always let someone ashore know when and where you are going and when you are expected back. Should you get into difficulty call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.’