Rosslare Harbour RNLI rescues three men after motorsailer runs aground

The volunteer lifeboat crew was requested to launch their all-weather lifeboat at approximately 4.30pm following a report from the Irish Coast Guard that a vessel had ran aground on the east side of Blackwater Bank.

The lifeboat under Coxswain Art Shiel and with six crew members onboard launched at 4.40pm and made its way to the scene, arriving at 5.20pm.

Cahore inshore lifeboat was also tasked and was on scene first.

Weather conditions at the time were described as good with a moderate breeze.

The 37ft motorsailer with three men on-board had ran aground and broke her steering.

Once on scene, the lifeboat crew worked with the Cahore inshore lifeboat crew to get the vessel off the bank which they managed to do at 6pm. All onboard were safe and well.

Two lifeboat crew members transferred onto the casualty vessel and a towline was established. The lifeboat then proceeded to tow the motorsailer back to Rosslare Harbour.

Speaking following the call out, David Maloney, Rosslare Harbour RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: ‘The crew onboard the vessel did the right thing this evening and raised the alarm when they got into difficulty. We would encourage anyone planning a trip at sea this summer to go prepared and to always respect the water. Should you get into trouble, the RNLI provides a 24-hour search and rescue service and our volunteers in Rosslare are always willing and ready to respond to help anyone in need.’

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For more information please contact Jamie Ryan, Rosslare RNLI Volunteer Press Officer on 0872669046, 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]

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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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