Arklow RNLI volunteers assist motor cruiser during sailing regatta
Arklow RNLI lifeboat volunteers responded quickly to a request to launch at 11.02am today (Sunday 1 August 2021) as most had been nearby the station.
Within minutes the Lifeboat Ger Tighclearr was underway with Coxswain Ned Dillon at the helm and heading to sea to reports of a vessel which had lost propulsion.
The casualty vessel was reported as being one quarter mile North East of Arklow Harbour entrance.
In a Westerly Light Breeze, the lifeboat made its way to the location.
Once on scene, it was established that the 10.5 motor cruiser with two crew aboard had become entangled in fishing gear and assistance was required aboard to clear the entanglement.
An RNLI volunteer went aboard the casualty vessel to assist, after efforts to clear the props failed, it was decided to tow the vessel which had been acting as a support boat as part of the local Sailing Regatta, back into the safety of the harbour.
The volunteer crew for the callout were:
Coxswain Ned Dillon, Station Mechanic James Russell, Craig O’Reilly, Geoff Kearnes, Eddie McElheron and Jimmy Myler.
Following the call out, Mark Corcoran, Arklow RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer and Community Safety Officer said: 'Thankfully we had a positive result this morning. This callout shows that anybody can become entangled in fishing gear, indeed I have myself as have other members of our own crew. I’m delighted the time and effort we spend on delivery of our Community Safety Plan and our interactions with all of the groups and clubs who use the harbours and river keep the water safety message to the fore in peoples minds.'
Full Safety Information on whatever you do on or in the water on www.rnli.org/safety or www.respectthewater.com
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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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