Fenit RNLI saves four people after responding to late night mayday in Tralee Bay

Urgent assistance was requested at 10.28pm for a speedboat carrying four people which was taking on water very quickly. The vessel was approximately 1.5 miles west of Samphire Lighthouse, located in Tralee Bay. The boat had left Castlegregory earlier and was on its way to Fenit Harbour when the incident occurred.

Fenit volunteer lifeboat crew were launched within minutes and the All-Weather Lifeboat arrived at the scene a short time later.

There were four people onboard the pleasure boat whom were assessed very quickly and were in a position to transfer from the vessel onto the lifeboat safely and securely by the crew.

The vessel was partially submerged in the water but with the casualties being transferred onto the lifeboat and cared by the lifeboat the crew, a tow rope was attached to the pleasure boat and brought back to Fenit Harbour.

The lifeboat and the four casualties arrived back at Fenit just after midnight.

Fenit RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, Gerard O’Donnell, commenting on the rescue said ‘we are extremely pleased with the outcome of the rescue as time was critical on this callout. The four casualties are safe and well. This rescue was the collaboration between a number of emergency services and the outcome has brought huge relief. I would urge people to be as prepared as possible when going to sea and if there is ever any doubt about safety to either dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.

For more advice on Float To Live and other water safety advice visit RespectTheWater.com

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The RNLI is a proud partner of the GAA in Ireland. The two organisations are working together to improve the health and well-being of local communities with the aim to reduce drowning and to share life-saving advice. To learn more about this work click here

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around Ireland and the UK. The RNLI operates 46 lifeboat stations in Ireland. The RNLI is independent of government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, the charity has saved over 142,200 lives.

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.

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