Arklow RNLI comes to the aid of lone sailor on 33ft vessel
Arklow RNLI launched on 30 August at approximately 4.30pm to a request to assist a lone sailor on a yacht which had lost propulsion.
The volunteer crew made their way to the lifeboat station and and within minutes of the request were aboard their all-weather lifeboat, Ger Tigchlearr and en route to the reported location.
In a stiff north easterly breeze with moderate seas, the Trent class lifeboat made its way to the reported position two and a half miles south of Arklow.
Once on scene the casualty vessel was located with one person aboard and it was confirmed that the vessel had lost propulsion and was struggling against the wind and ebbing tide and at significant risk of being wrecked on the shoreline.
The crew assessed the situation and a lifeboat volunteer was transferred to the casualty vessel to assist with rigging a towline. With the tow line established the casualty vessel was towed back to the nearest safe port at Arklow.
Arklow RNLI’s crew on this call out were Coxswain Ned Dillon, Brendan Dillon, Eddie McElheron, Leigh Downey and station mechanic James Russell.
Following the call out , Mark Corcoran, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at Arklow RNLI said: 'Thanks to our volunteer crew , who at a moment's notice go to sea to assist others, please remember to respect the water.'
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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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