Wicklow RNLI tow damaged yacht with five sailors to safety

The yacht was on passage from Wales to Ireland when the forestay snapped on the mast rigging twenty-three miles off the Wicklow Coast. The skipper contacted the Coast Guard by VHF radio for assistance as they were unable to use the sails in case the mast broke, they were also low on fuel which would prevent them from reaching Wicklow harbour under their own power,

The lifeboat under the command of Coxswain Nick Keogh and six volunteer crew were alongside the stricken vessel at 7.20pm. Conditions at the scene were described as sea state moderate, wind force five, westerly in direction with good visibility.

A towline was quickly rigged to the yacht and the lifeboat crew began a three-hour tow back towards Wicklow harbour.

The yacht with the five sailors was brought safely alongside the south quay at Wicklow harbour at 10.20pm.

The crew on the callout were Coxswain Nick Keogh, Mechanic Brendan Copeland, Ciaran Doyle, Lisa O’ Leary, Terry Sillery, Paul Sillery and John Stapleton.

Key facts about the RNLI

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.