Lifeboat rescue called off again

The boat crashed onto rocks at Rathlin Island

Another attempt to refloat the Portrush lifeboat stranded off Rathlin Island is unlikely to happen before tomorrow, the Coastguard has said.

Bad weather is hampering efforts to salvage the vessel which is stuck on rocks.

It has been stranded since Tuesday night. The lifeboat, which cost an estimated £2m, got into difficulty while attempting to rescue three people whose boat was in danger.

After several attempts to throw a line to the stricken boat, the RNLB Katie Hannan was forced onto rocks by a heavy swell at 2000 GMT on Tuesday.

Despite the efforts of a fishing vessel and the Larne lifeboat, the stranded vessel could not be moved.

The three people who the lifeboat had gone to assist were rescued by the Rathlin Island Coastguard crew.

Two of the crew on the Katie Hannan were thrown into the water from its small inflatable rescue boat after assisting attempts to refloat the boat. They managed to climb onto nearby rocks.

RNLI Head of Coastal Management George Rollinson said on Thursday it was important for the vessel to be freed soon.

He said they were confident they could make progress "if not today then tomorrow," but there were no guarantees because of the weather and problems getting to the boat.