Howth RNLI rescue 2 people and their sailing vessel after it started to sink
Howth RNLI launched their all weather lifeboat Monday 18th March 2019 to reports of a sailing vessel with 2 people aboard taking on water and starting to sink 7 miles east of Howth
The pagers sounded at 8.24am and the all weather lifeboat launched at 8.33am to reports of 48ft Ketch sailing vessel which was taking on water and in danger of sinking. The all weather lifeboat located the casualty vessel seven miles east of Howth with two people aboard.
Two lifeboat volunteers were placed aboard the casualty vessel with a high powered water pump. The all weather lifeboat took the casualty vessel under tow to the safety of Howth Marina. The two people aboard the yacht were in good spirits and thanked the RNLI for their help.
The wind was Force 5 westerly and the sea state was a meter a half swell at the time.
Speaking following the call out, Ian Sheridan, Howth RNLI deputy Coxswain said: ‘We were delighted to be able to launch so quickly and locate the sailing yacht fast enough to be able to save the vessel from sinking and bring them back to the safety of Howth Marina.
‘We remind everyone going to sea to always respect the water and always have a means of communication aboard. The casualty vessel in this instance was able to make immediate contact as soon as they discovered a problem and we were able to act accordingly.’
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.