THE YACHT OF a lone skipper who has been on a round-the-world sailing trip for the past 11 months was rescued by the RNLI in West Cork last night.

The solo sailor got into difficulties 40 miles off the Seven Heads at around 5.20 yesterday evening.

The Courtmacsherry RNLI all-weather lifeboat responded to the nine-hour rescue operation.

The 31 ft yacht was on its voyage from The Azores when it developed mechanical difficulties and sought help.

Arriving at the scene at 7.30pm, the lifeboat took the stricken vessel in tow and commenced its long and slow journey back to Courtmacsherry Harbour, arriving back at 2.15 am.

The skipper of the offshore yacht Quadrille had spent the previous 10 days at sea on his voyage from the Azores off North Africa to Milfordhavsn in Wales.

Skipper Rees Hopkins has been on a single-handed round the world sailing trip for the past 11 months and he lost power with mechanical failure three days ago.

Lifeboat Station Voluntary Operations Manager Brian O’Dwyer said, “We are full of praise for the fast response of this evenings voluntary crew and in carrying out the rescue with skill and precision over a nine-hour period.”

The voluntary crew of the lifeboat on this callout were Coxswain Kevin Young, Mechanic Pat Lawton and crew members Dara Gannon, Ciaran Hurley, Austin McKenna and Evin O’Sullivan.