Skerries RNLI and Clogherhead RNLI rescue family of five from French yacht

Skerries RNLI, Howth RNLI and Coast Guard Helicopter R116 were initially tasked as the casualty was uncertain of their location and could only tell the Coast Guard that they had moored for the night in Skerries bay.

Arriving at the station to Launch the lifeboat, volunteer crew from Skerries quickly spotted the distressed 35 foot long yacht lying over on her side on the rocks to the rear of the station. With the tide dropping and the water around the vessel already very shallow, the crew donned their drysuits, lifejackets and helmets and waded out to check on the family.

There were two adults and three teenagers on board, and with the tide continuing to drop and the boat listing further, the crew used the yachts tender to first bring the teenagers ashore and to safety of the lifeboat station, followed by their parents.

Later in the morning, as the tide began to rise, Clogherhead’s all weather lifeboat Skerries lifeboat and when the vessel refloated, both lifeboats worked together to slowly bring the yacht into safe water before towing her to the safety of Skerries harbour.

Speaking about the call out, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Skerries RNLI, Gerry Canning said: ‘It was a stroke of luck where the boat ended up and things could have been a lot worse. They got a bit of a scare, but there was very little damage to the boat and they should be able to continue their holiday. This was another call out where we had multiple agencies working well together. And a great example of the versatility of the lifeboat fleet. We’d just like to remind people, if you are in trouble at sea or if you see someone in trouble, dial 999 and ask for the Coast Guard’

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 Regional Media Manager Ireland on 087 1254 124 or 01 8900 460 email [email protected] or Nuala McAloon RNLI Regional Media Officer Ireland Tel: 087 6483547 email: [email protected] or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789

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.