Rosslare Harbour RNLI launched to Mayday alert off Wexford coast
Rosslare Harbour RNLI all weather was launched by the volunteer lifeboat crew yesterday morning (Tuesday 16 May) at 11.45am to respond to an EPIRB distress signal (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon).
The Irish Coast Guard alerted Rosslare Harbour RNLI to immediately launch following an EPIRB alarm, which usually indicates a vessel in serious danger. The signal was traced to an 18m yacht close to Carnesore Point off the Wexford coast, which was competing in the Normandy Challenge yacht race.
The RNLI lifeboat and Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 117 were quickly on the scene. It was soon established that the 18m yacht was not in trouble and the EPIRB alarm had accidentally activated. Volunteer RNLI crew aboard Rosslare Harbour lifeboat deactivated the alarm system, returned the device to the yacht which then continued on with its race.
Conditions at the time were reasonably favourable with a brisk southerly wind.
Speaking after the incident Rosslare Harbour RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Jamie Ryan praised the skill of the coxswain who brought the lifeboat alongside the yacht and the efforts of the RNLI volunteers who fixed the EPIRB and returned it to the 18m yacht.
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For more information please contact Jamie Ryan, Rosslare RNLI Volunteer Press Officer on 0872669046, email
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