Skerries RNLI tow yacht with one on board to safety
Skerries RNLI were tasked by Dublin Coast Guard on Thursday morning (15 October) following a VHF call from a yacht that had suffered engine failure and was adrift approximately 2 miles east of Skerries islands.
Shortly before 10am, the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat “Louis Simson” was launched by the volunteer crew and immediately began to navigate to the area indicated by the casualty. As they rounded the headland at Red Island, they spotted an eight metre yacht between Colt island and Shenick island that did not seem to be making way. The crew decided to check on this vessel in case the initial information given to the Coast Guard had not been completely accurate.
It was quickly determined that this was the vessel that had made the call to Dublin Coast Guard, and that there was only one person on board. The engine had suffered a sudden and complete loss of oil pressure and as a result they had been unable to proceed under their own power.
A tow was established, and the yacht was brought safely to Rogerstown harbour where it had already been scheduled to be lifted out of the water for the winter.
At the time conditions were calm with a force one to two south easterly wind.
Speaking about the call out, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Skerries RNLI, Gerry Canning said: ‘Things can go wrong at sea no matter how prepared you are. Always carry a means of contacting the shore to raise the alarm, like this gentleman did. Our volunteers are always ready to respond to that call’
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Gerry Canning, Skerries RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 087 988 4965 or email [email protected] or Nuala McAloon, RNLI Ireland Media Officer on 087 648 3547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Ireland Media Manager on 087 1254 124 or [email protected]
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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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