Arklow RNLI launches to assist lone sailor

The volunteer lifeboat crew made their way to the station and within minutes of the request were aboard RNLB Ger Tigchlearr and en route to the initial reported location two-miles north-east of Cahore Point.

Once on scene the crew made contact by radio with the tired lone sailor, who had been at sea for a long period, to check his status. The 30ft vessel was still under its own power and was heading in a Northerly direction. However, conditions had made it too difficult to put a lifeboat crew member aboard to assist.

Given the prevailing sea conditions at the time and the significant risk if the vessel lost power, it was decided that the lifeboat would standby the yacht and escort it on a safe track north with regular status checks by radio.

All was well and the lifeboat had just completed a status check as the yacht passed the Roadstone breakwater just South of Arklow, with the lifeboat moving slowly north towards the harbour when they were alerted by the sailor that his engine had now failed.

Given the sea and tidal state at the time and the position of the vessel, which was barely 300 metres off the breakwater, which was now adrift and in danger of being washed up on the breakwater, combined with the proximity of whelk fishing pots and other hazards the Coxswain manoeuvred the lifeboat into position and the crew managed to get a line aboard the vessel. They then towed it into deeper water, where a heavier towline was then attached.

The yacht was then towed into Arklow where everyone came ashore safely at 5pm.

Arklow RNLI crew on this callout were Coxswain Brendan Dillon, Eddie McElheron, James Russell, Craig O’Reilly, Leigh Downey & Sinead Myler

Following the callout , Mark Corcoran, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at Arklow RNLI said:

“All of our crew train regularly for every type of callout. They was a challenging one and our coxswain and crew we were able to assist and bring the very tired casualty and their vessel home safely.

Further Water Safety Information can be found at www.respectthewater.com

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Mark Corcoran, Arklow RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 086 8260439 or [email protected] or Nuala McAloon, Regional Media Officer on 0876483547 or [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, Regional Media Manager on 0871254124 or [email protected]

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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 Ireland and the UK. The RNLI operates 46 lifeboat stations in Ireland. The RNLI is independent of government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, the charity has save over 142,200 lives.

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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For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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.