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Fethard RNLI assist two fishermen after their boat breaks down in thick fog

Lifeboats News Release

Fethard RNLI was requested to launch today (Saturday 25 September) by the Irish Coast Guard shortly before 12.30pm, following a call for help from two stranded fishermen in a small open punt.

RNLI/Fethard

Fethard RNLI

Their craft had outboard engine difficulties in thick fog off Creadan Head in the Waterford Estuary.

The volunteer crew of Fethard RNLI launched their inshore lifeboat at Duncannon Strand and proceeded to the coordinates given by the men on the broken-down vessel. The water was flat calm and there was a light breeze at the time. However, visibility was less than 4m in a thick fog. The fishermen were located off Woodstown, where they tied up to a lobster pot marker buoy. There, the lifeboat crew assessed the situation, and it was decided to tow the fishermen's boat back to the safety of Duncannon Harbour.

Commenting about the call out Thomas Stafford, Fethard RNLI Helm said 'The two lads did everything right. They wore their lifejackets, they tied up to a marker when the engine failed, and they had the means to call for help and give their coordinates when things went wrong. All this led to a positive outcome with the two lads being returned to safety.

Ends

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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 142,700 lives.

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