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Early morning call-out for Fenit RNLI after 3am alert for yacht

Lifeboats News Release

Fenit RNLI’S all weather lifeboat volunteer crew were called out early this morning (Sunday May 24th) when a yacht lost its power and steerage North of Loop head, Co. Clare.

Fenit lifeboat

RNLI/Digimac

Fenit lifeboat
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The lifeboat crew pagers were sounded at 3.03am, after a Pan-Pan signal was made from the 10-metre vessel, and the Irish Coastguard contacted Fenit RNLI’s Launch Authority on duty Peter Clifford who requested the launch of the all-weather Lifeboat Robert Hywel Jones Williams. The vessel had been enroute from Rossaveel, Co. Galway to Kilrush, Co. Clare.

The yacht, carrying three people on board, initially reported that it had lost engine power and was experiencing difficulties with its rudder. The MFV Celtic Sun, which was fishing in the area at the time, heard the Pan-Pan signal and responded, arriving first on the scene. The vessel remained on standby until the Fenit RNLI lifeboat arrived. Sea conditions during the rescue were favourable, with a force 3 south-westerly wind and a 2.3-metre swell.

Fenit all-weather lifeboat arrived on scene at 04:40am. Contact was made with the crew, who were all fit and well and Coxswain Kevin Moriarty, assessed the situation. After consulting with the skipper, it was determined that a tow was necessary and would be the safest way to assist the crew and bring them to safety. A towline was successfully established at 04:55am, the yacht was towed to the safety of Fenit harbour, arriving at 10:20am.

Once satisfied that the yacht and its crew were secure, the lifeboat returned to the station, where she was refuelled, washed down and ready for any further calls.

Six volunteers were on-board the lifeboat for the operation: Coxswain Kevin Moriarty, Mechanic Kevin Honeyman, and crew members Caroline Corkery, Ciaran Forde, Cian Lawless, Shane Mulcair and Terry Sheehy.

Speaking following the call-out, Coxswain Kevin Moriarty said that “the training undertaken by the crew was vital and they all worked very well together. I wish the crew of the vessel well on the remainder of their journey. Should anyone get into difficulty at sea, always call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.

Ends

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Communications Staff Member for Ireland, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

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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For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

About the author

Mary Browne
Lifeboat Press Officer, Fenit

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