Arklow RNLI rescues two fishermen on vessel adrift south of Arklow
Arklow RNLI came to the aid of two fishermen on Thursday last, 17 December, following a report from the Irish Coast Guard that a fishing vessel was in distress.
The volunteer crew were requested to launch their all-weather lifeboat at 11.07am and responded quickly with six crew aboard the Ger Tigchlearr.
The lifeboat made its way to the reported position, near Kilmichael Point, south of Arklow.
As Arklow RNLI’s volunteers were enroute, further reports came in that the vessel had freed the foul and was now dragging its anchor, adrift and in danger of being driven up onto the rocks at Kilmichael point in the south-south easterly Force 5 winds.
Once on scene, the lifeboat crew worked quickly with the casualty vessel’s crew of two to establish a tow line. With this completed, the vessel and crew were towed safely back to Arklow.
Arklow RNLI’s crew for this call out were Coxswain Eddie McElheron, station mechanic Michael Fitzgerald, Craig O’Reilly, Keith Forde, Jimmy Myler and Michael Mordaunt.
Following the incident, Mark Corcoran, Arklow RNLI Community Safety Officer and Lifeboat Press Officer said: ‘Fortunately, our volunteers response time ensured they were able to get the the stricken vessel before the situation worsened and we had a good result. We would like to remind people to respect the water, always wear a lifejacket and carry a means of calling for help when going out on, in or near the water, We would like to congratulate Eddie McElheron his first call out in command of the Ger Tigchlearr.’
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For more information please telephone Mark Corcoran, Arklow RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 0868260439 or [email protected] or Nuala McAloon, Regional Media Officer on 0876483547 or [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, Regional Media Manager on 0871254124 or [email protected]
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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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