Six sailors were rescued in a seven-hour operation after a yacht collided with a fish farm off the coast of Antrim in Northern Ireland. The incident occurred on Saturday, 12 September, when a 46-foot yacht, en route from Oban in Scotland to Portugal, struck a fish farm in Red Bay. The collision happened amid winds reaching 60 knots—equivalent to a severe gale—and left the vessel without power or steering, trapping it in the water. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) was alerted at 3:22 am by the Belfast Coastguard, who had received a Mayday call from the yacht. A volunteer crew from Red Bay RNLI immediately launched their all-weather lifeboat, commanded by Coxswain Paddy McLaughlin and supported by five crew members. An inshore lifeboat was also deployed to assist in the rescue. The rescue operation took place under extremely harsh conditions, including Force 9 gusting winds, heavy rain, and complete darkness throughout the night. Upon arrival at the scene, the RNLI volunteers confirmed that all six individuals on board the yacht were safe. However, the vessel remained entangled in the fish farm's cages. Given the dangerous weather and rough seas, the Coxswain decided it was safest for the sailors to remain on board while the lifeboat kept a close watch until dawn at 7:30 am. At 9:30 am, the RNLI team successfully freed the yacht from the netting and navigated it to Glenarm, arriving at 10 am, where the Larne Coastguard provided additional support. Speaking after the operation, Coxswain Paddy McLaughlin praised the efforts of the crew and the Coastguard. He highlighted the challenging conditions and the dedication of the volunteers who spent seven hours at sea to ensure the safety of the sailors. McLaughlin expressed gratitude for the teamwork and emphasized the importance of the training and skills that enabled the successful rescue in such difficult circumstances.