LISTEN: Stranded Santa hitches ride on Rathlin Ferry

By Q Radio News

Santa Claus traded in his sleigh for a lifeboat yesterday as he visited children on Rathlin Island.

However, when the lifeboat got called away to assist a stricken fishing trawler six miles north east of the island Santa was left to find his own way home.

After a four hour operation the 25-metre trawler with six crew on board, which had had its propeller snagged in nets, was safely towed into Ballycastle.

LISTEN: Stranded Santa hitches ride on Rathlin Ferry. #Rathlinhttps://t.co/xp7z0iJzYL

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) December 20, 2021

Paddy McLaughlin of Redbay lifeboat says Santa hitched a ride with local boatowners:

Commenting on the callout Red Bay RNLI Coxswain Joe Mc Collam said:

"We were sorry to leave Santa to make his own way home from Rathlin but we knew we were leaving him in very good hands with the local ferry crew.

"The snagged trawler was in some difficulty and the crew were not able to move the vessel.

"That area can be quite treacherous, and they needed to be brought to a safe harbour.

"Thankfully the lifeboat crew were nearby and able to bring them to Ballycastle. We also heard that Santa had a safe and enjoyable journey back from Rathlin and is looking forward to Christmas."

(A stricken trawler is safely guided into Ballycastle harbour)