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Kilmore Quay RNLI launched to assist two people aboard yacht with engine failure

Lifeboats News Release

Kilmore Quay RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat was launched Saturday afternoon to assist two people aboard a 32-foot yacht with engine failure close to the Saltee Islands.

RNLI/Elaine Walsh

The all-weather Tamar class lifeboat, Killarney, was requested to launch by the Coast Guard at 2.37pm on Saturday. The lifeboat was under the command of Coxswain Eugene Kehoe with five crew members on board and it arrived on scene just north of the Great Saltee island at 3:00pm. Sea conditions at the time were described as moderate with a two-metre swell and were not suitable for the yacht to return to the harbour under sail. Having checked all on board were safe and well, it was decided that the safest course of action was to establish a tow to bring the yacht back to the nearby harbour. With the tow established the lifeboat made its way back to Kilmore Quay, arriving at 3.30pm.

The Kilmore Quay RNLI lifeboat crew involved in the call out were coxswain Eugene Kehoe, mechanic Philip Walsh and crew members Nigel Kehoe, Adam Kelly, Michelle Devereux, and Robbie Connolly.

The call out came on a weekend where members of the crew also attended a commemoration service at the Memorial Garden in Kilmore Quay to mark the 100th anniversary of the loss of the SS Lismore six miles off the coast between Kilmore Quay and Hook Head on 11 July 1924. One survivor made it to shore 28 hours after the vessel went down and raised the alarm. Despite extensive searches by lifeboat crews and coast guards at the time, none of the remaining 18 crew on board were ever found.

Speaking following the service on Sunday, Kilmore Quay Lifeboat Operations Manager John Grace said, ‘Today’s service is a sobering reminder of the perils of the sea. In this year that sees the 200th Anniversary of the establishment of the RNLI, it is more important than ever that we commemorate those that have lost their lives at sea, reinforcing our resolve to save others from facing the same fate’.

He went on to praise the commitment of the current lifeboat crew and encourage those interested to find out more about becoming a volunteer with the lifeboat station, ‘We are lucky to have a dedicated volunteer crew here in Kilmore Quay to respond to call outs. It’s a selflessness and community spirit that we have here in our volunteers, and we’d welcome more people through the door to carry out this important work. Anyone interested is welcome to come and talk to us and training is given. There is so much to get out of volunteering for the RNLI.’

View of lifeboat from casualty vessel under tow

Tom O'Connor

View of lifeboat from casualty vessel under tow

Tom O'Connor

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.

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