Skerries RNLI assist two men aboard broken down fishing trawler

Shortly after 5pm yesterday evening Dublin Coast Guard received reports that a distress flare had been fired from a fishing trawler near Balbriggan. Skerries RNLI were tasked and the lifeboat was launched with volunteer David Knight at the Helm and crewed by Stephen Crowley, AJ Hughes and JP Tanner.

The lifeboat proceeded towards Balbriggan harbour where they soon spotted a fishing trawler with another fishing vessel alongside and went to investigate. The fishing trawler had suffered a serious electrical problem and lost all power. They had lowered an anchor and fired a flare to signal that they required help. The second vishing vessel had responded to the distress call and come to their assistance.

The low tide would have made entrance to Balbriggan harbour difficult, so the fishing trawler was taken under tow by the lifeboat and brought to the safety of Skerries harbour.

Speaking about the call out, Lifeboat Press Officer for Skerries RNLI, Gerry Canning said: ‘It doesn’t matter how prepared you are, things can go wrong at sea. Thankfully they were carrying flares and didn’t hesitate to use them to raise the alarm. We’d also like to say well done to the other vessel that responded immediately to the call for help’

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Gerry Canning Skerries RNLI volunteer lifeboat press officer on 087 988 4965 email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson RNLI Public Relations Manager on 087 1254 124 or 01 8900 460 email [email protected] or Nuala McAloon RNLI Press Officer Tel: 087 6483547 email: [email protected] or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789

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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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