Lough Swilly RNLI assists one person onboard 18ft motorboat off Fahan Marina

The volunteer crew were preparing to launch on a training exercise on Davdot, when Malin Head Coast Guard requested their assistance at 7.32pm. The Coast Guard had received a 112 call from a person aboard an 18ft boat, reporting a fuel line failure and concerns about the vessel drifting on to rocks on the incoming tide.

The lifeboat helmed by Barry Johnston and with crew members Stephen Doherty, Barry Nixon and Shane Meehan onboard, launched immediately and made its way to the scene.

Weather conditions at the time were good with a moderate wind and calm seas.

Once on scene, the crew observed the casualty who was wearing a lifejacket, was safe and well but could not make any safe onward progress due to the incoming tide and the risk of the boat drifting onto rocks. A decision was made that the safest course of action was to tow the vessel to the nearby Fahan Marina.

Speaking after the call out, Barry Johnston, Lough Swilly RNLI Helm said: ‘We would like to commend the person onboard the motorboat who was appropriately dressed and wearing a lifejacket and equipped with a means of communication to make the 112 call when they knew they were in difficulty.

‘As the pleasure boating season starts, we would encourage anyone planning a trip on the water, to always check the weather and tide times before venturing out, to tell someone where you are going and when you are due back and to ensure your engine is well maintained.

‘This was the first call out for Davdot, which arrived on station on the 8 April, and the first inshore lifeboat call out of 2026.’

Ends

RNLI media contacts

For more information, please contact Bridgita Kelly, Lough Swilly RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer at [email protected] or Nuala McAloon, RNLI Regional Communications Manager on 087 648 3547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Regional Communications Lead on 087 1254 124 or [email protected]

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The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

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