Fethard RNLI launch to a vessel in difficulty with one person on board
Fethard RNLI launched last night (Saturday 20 August) on the request of the Coast Guard to a vessel with one person onboard in difficulty a mile from Fethard in Wexford.
A member of the public raised the alarm at 7.30pm when they saw a vessel which appeared to be in difficulty off The Borrow, Grange Strand, off the Fethard coast.
The lifeboat was launched and crew were able to secure a visual of the blue and white 16 foot vessel which had a failed propeller from the launched site.
The vessel had broken its mooring the previous night from Fethard Quay and had come ashore at a local area called the Windy Gap. The owner had successfully relaunched the vessel at 7pm this evening, however a half a mile from shore the propeller got entangled in a rope.
Conditions were slightly overcast with a force four to five south westerly breeze with good visibility.
Arriving on the scene the volunteer lifeboat crew were able to successfully free the propeller of the ropes which allowed the inshore lifeboat to take the vessel by tow and return safely to Fethard Quay.
Speaking following the callout, Fethard RNLI Deputy Launching Authority Tony Molloy said: 'The volunteer crew responded quickly and was with the casualty within minutes. The pleasure boat was towed safely back to Fethard Quay where it was securely moored and the lifeboat returned to the station shortly after 9pm'.
Fethard Lifeboat Crew, Helm Rory O'Connor, Crew Cathal O'Connell, Dean Foley and Joe Dwyer. Driver Eileen Murphy together with shore crew of Martin Doran, Malclom Ennis, Joey Murphy and Brendan O'Callaghan.
Ends
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For more information please contact Rebecca Doyle Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Fethard RNLI Tel: 087 9285594 or Niamh Stephenson RNLI Public Relations Manager Tel: 087 1254 124 / 01 8900 460 email [email protected] or Nuala McAloon RNLI Press Officer Tel: 087 6483547 email: [email protected]
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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.
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