Arklow RNLI launch to assist sailor after 24ft yacht runs aground

Within minutes the volunteer crew had launched their lifeboat following a report that a sailing vessel was in danger and aground at Clogga Bay.

The volunteer crew made their way to Clogga Bay, south of Arklow Harbour and upon entering the bay the casualty vessel, a 24ft sailing yacht with one person aboard was quickly identified and the lifeboat made best speed to the area.

Upon arrival, Arklow RNLI's Trent class lifeboat Ger Tigchlearr under Coxswain Ned Dillon made her way up as close to the casualty vessel as possible.

Given the casualty vessel was aground in shallow waters, Arklow RNLI's daughter inflatable XP boat was deployed for the crew to check the casualty vessel and then to pass a towline to the vessel.

Once the towline was established and with the XP boat and crew standing by with a salvage pump should the casualty start to take on water, the lifeboat slowly pulled the sailing vessel to deeper water. Once it was established the boat was dry and not taking on water, the XP boat and crew came back aboard the lifeboat and proceeded back to Arklow with the casualty on tow. All hands were back ashore approximately 40 minutes later.

The crew for this call out were, Coxswain Ned Dillon, Brendan Dillon, James Russel station mechanic, Jimmy Myler, Austin Gaffney and Craig O’Reilly.

Following the call out Arklow RNLI Coxswain Ned Dillon said:

'Thanks to our crew, this was an excellent successful service, where we got to deploy and use very many of the safety critical tools and lifesaving equipment we carry aboard the lifeboat. In all my years I’ve never seen all these items being deployed at once and never so successfully, it’s a real testament to our crew and the excellent training we get from RNLI.'

Ends

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Mark Corcoran, Arklow RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 0868260439, email [email protected] or contact Nuala McAloon RNLI Press Officer on 087 648 3547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson RNLI Public Relations Manager on 087 1254 124 or 01 8900 460 email [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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