Donate now

Wicklow RNLI volunteer crew respond to two call outs in 24 hours.

Lifeboats News Release

Wicklow RNLI volunteer crew members responded to two call outs in 24 hours beginning just hours after the station open day had concluded.

The pagers first sounded just after 9:30pm on Sunday (6 August), a few hours after the crew had finished sorting out the station following the open day that afternoon. The volunteer lifeboat crew launched RNLB Ruth and David Arthur at 9:40pm and made best speed to the casualty position just south of Greystones.

The casualty vessel was reported as a 6-metre long fishing vessel with one person on board which was adrift after suffering engine failure. The weather conditions were described as sea state calm with a very gentle southerly breeze.

On arrival on scene 30 minutes after launching, the coxswain, following an assessment of the situation decided that the safest option was to tow the vessel to the nearest port.

The casualty was safely landed ashore in Greystones marina shortly after 10:35pm and the volunteer crew made their way back to Wicklow harbour arriving shortly after 11pm where the lifeboat was made ready for the next callout.

Wicklow RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Mary Aldridge speaking after this call out said.

‘Our crew had a long but enjoyable day hosting our open day and had not been home long when the pagers sounded. No matter how busy their days are our crew are always ready to respond 24/7 365 days a year to help save lives at sea.’

The second callout for the volunteers came 5:40pm on Monday 7 August.

The alarm was raised for this call out by a concerned member of the public who saw a small inflatable dinghy with four people on board which seemed to be struggling to get back to shore due to the turning tide and the westerly wind which was blowing the dinghy offshore.

The Wicklow based D-class lifeboat was launched at 5:46pm under the command of helm Paul Sillery. The lifeboat located the casualty two minutes after launching just as the dinghy and its occupants were making it ashore at Travelahawk beach.

The lifeboat crew made their way ashore and once it was ascertained that no assistance was now required the Coast Guard stood the lifeboat down. The crew returned to the station where the lifeboat was washed down and made ready for the next call out.

Speaking after the callout Wicklow RNLI Helm Paul Sillery emphasised the dangers of using inflatables in the sea.

‘Inflatables can pose significant risks, as they are susceptible to changing tides, offshore winds, and currents. We would urge everyone to leave the inflatables at home and not bring them into the sea.’

If you see someone in trouble in the water please call 112 or 999 and ask for the Coast Guard.

RNLI/Connie OGara

Wicklow RNLI Lifeboat returns from call out

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.