Ballyglass RNLI assist three fishermen on broken down trawler

The volunteer crew was requested to launch their all-weather lifeboat shortly after 10 o’clock this morning following a report that a fishing vessel with three onboard was experiencing problems some 28 nautical miles north of Benwee Head.

Weather conditions at the time were described as favourable with a calm sea and good visibility.

The lifeboat under Coxswain John Walsh and with six crew members onboard launched at 10.25am.

Once on scene approximately an hour and a half later, the lifeboat crew observed that no one was in any immediate danger and began to work with the fishing crew to set up a tow.

With a rope in place, the lifeboat began the slow tow back to Ballyglass, an ongoing passage which is expected to take five hours.

Agatha Hurst, Ballyglass RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said: ‘The fishermen did the right thing this morning and requested assistance when their vessel got into difficulty. The lifeboat crew successfully set up a tow and we hope to have everyone returned safe and well to Ballyglass later this afternoon.’

Ends

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Agatha Hurst, Ballyglass RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 0876482793, email [email protected] or Nuala McAloon RNLI Press Officer Ireland on 0876483547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson RNLI Public Relations Manager Ireland on 0871254124 or 018900460 or email [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, 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.