Wicklow RNLI assists two people on multi hull yacht
Wicklow RNLI's all-weather lifeboat launched this morning (Tuesday 14 June), to assist a yacht off the Wicklow coast.
The vessel was on passage from the Canary Islands to Dun Laoghaire, to take part in the Round Ireland Yacht Race.
The skipper of the 15m trimaran yacht contacted the Coast Guard after the vessel developed problems and lost power, 10 miles off the Wicklow coast. He was concerned the drifting vessel could be a hazard to shipping due to fog.
The lifeboat under the command of Coxswain Nick Keogh launched at 10.40am and was alongside the drifting casualty at 11.15am. Lifeboat volunteer Alan Goucher was transferred onto the yacht to assist with attaching a towline.
Weather conditions at the time were described as wind easterly force one, the sea state was calm, but visibility was poor due to dense fog in the area.
The inshore lifeboat helmed by Vinnie Mulvihill and two crew was subsequently launched to assist the all-weather boat with the berthing operation.
The yacht was towed into Wicklow harbour and was safely alongside the East pier by 12.30pm.
The call out also interrupted a group of first class students from Wicklow Educate Together National School, who were visiting the station at the time. Lifeboat Visit Officer John Hayden gave a running commentary to the group from the assembly area on the pier, as the crew arrived and launched on an actual call out.
Speaking after the call out, Des Davitt, Wicklow RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: ‘The vessel was on passage from Canary Islands to Dun Laoghaire, to take part in the Round Ireland Yacht Race.
Ends
Notes to Editors
Please find attached a photo of Wicklow RNLI lifeboats with the casualty yacht. Credit Wicklow RNLI.
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