Busy morning for Wicklow RNLI's all-weather lifeboat
Two fishing vessels have been towed to safety in separate incidents this morning (Saturday 4 August) by Wicklow RNLI's all-weather lifeboat Annie Blaker.
The first call out came during the early hours after a 24m beam trawler travelling from Howth to Kilmore Quay, experienced total power failure three miles east of Wicklow harbour.
The Coast Guard requested the lifeboat launch after the skipper of the fishing vessel called for assistance. The lifeboat under the command of Coxswain Nick Keogh launched at 3.35am and was alongside the drifting vessel a short time later.
Weather conditions in the area were good with a calm sea state and the wind blowing north easterly force two. A towline was quickly established, and the trawler with two crew was taken in tow back to Wicklow harbour, where it was safely secured alongside the East pier at 4.45am.
The crew on the call out were Coxswain Nick Keogh, Mechanic Connie O Gara, Ciaran Doyle, Terry Sillery, Carol Flahive, Ian Thompson and Matt Doyle.
The second call out came a couple of hours later after a whelk fishing vessel reported mechanical problems, this time six miles east of Wicklow harbour.
The lifeboat launched at 8.40am and was on scene by 9.10am. A towline was rigged, and the whelk boat was towed back to Wicklow harbour. It was secured safely alongside the south quay at 10.25am.
The crew on the second call out were Coxswain Nick Keogh, mechanic Brendan Copeland, David O Leary, Terry Sillery, Carol Flahive, Paul Sillery and Matt Doyle.
Ends
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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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