Wexford RNLI rescues lone sailor after yacht hits sandbank

Volunteer lifeboat crews from Wexford and Rosslare Harbour RNLI were launched at 6.35pm following reports that a 26ft yacht had hit a sandbank somewhere off Wexford.

As little information was given on the location, both the inshore lifeboat from Wexford and the all-weather lifeboat from Rosslare Harbour proceeded to the Wexford Bar area which is known for its treacherous seas over a myriad of sandbanks.

Once on scene, Wexford RNLI spotted the vessel 100m north of Rosslare Point on Wexford Bar. Two crew members Damien Foley and David Maguire climbed onto the yacht to find a lone sailor tired from his 14 hour voyage from Fishguard.

With the yacht at anchor, the crew battled to release the anchor with waves crashing over them. The anchor broke and the yacht escaped been broken up.

The lifeboat helmed by Sinead Casey and with crew member Simon Gulliver also onboard, took the casualty vessel under tow and navigated its way through difficult lumpy seas out to deep water where the tow was dropped.

The crew members onboard the yacht then steamed the vessel over a dirty Wexford bar under the watchful eye off Rosslare Harbour RNLI.

The sailor and his yacht were safely brought alongside at Wexford Quay.

Speaking following the call out, Sinead Casey, Wexford RNLI helm said: ‘This was a challenging rescue but our crew who are highly skilled and trained managed to take the vessel under their control much to the relief of the tired sailor who was on a voyage from Wales to Scotland.  Thanks to the great team effort by the volunteers from both Wexford and Rosslare Harbour, the sailor and his yacht were rescued from very difficult seas.’

Ends

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Lorraine Galvin, Wexford RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 0879321040, email [email protected] or contact Nuala McAloon RNLI Press Officer on 087 648 3547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson RNLI Public Relations Manager on 087 1254 124 or 01 8900 460 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.