Arklow RNLI assists five people after 11m sailing vessel gets into difficulty

Following a pager alert at 8.45pm yesterday (Wednesday 13 July) by the Irish Coast Guard, Arklow RNLI's lifeboat was launched.

The volunteer crew launched the lifeboat following a report that a sailing vessel had become entangled in fishing gear close to shore and just outside the harbour in the Arklow Bay.

In calm seas with slack winds, the lifeboat made its way to the reported position and located the casualty vessel with five people onboard.

Upon arrival, a lifeboat crewmember was put aboard the vessel to assist with freeing the entanglement. Once this had been cleared, the yacht was towed back into Arklow harbour where everybody came ashore safely.

The crew for this call out were, Coxswain Ned Dillon, Brendan Dillon, John Bermingham, Craig O’Reilly and Geoff Kearnes.

Speaking after, Mark Corcoran, Arklow RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer and Community Safety Officer said: 'Our volunteers are always on call, huge thanks to them and their families for the amazing work they do in our community.'

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

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.