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Dunmore East RNLI responds to yacht adrift with 2 persons on board

Lifeboats News Release

The Dunmore East RNLI lifeboat was called out yesterday (Saturday 27 July) to assist a vessel in distress approximately 3 nautical miles south east of Hook Head.

RNLI / Karen Harris

Dunmore East RNLI lifeboat returns to harbour

The 11 metre sailing vessel, with 2 people aboard, had lost all power and called the Irish Coast Guard for emergency assistance.

The Dunmore East RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew were alerted at 6.16pm and the Shannon class all-weather lifeboat, William and Agnes Wray, was promptly launched and made best speed to the reported location. Conditions at sea were described as moderate with 1 metre swell and winds at a Force 3-4.

Once on the scene, the volunteer crew assessed the situation. Given the fact that the sailing vessel’s crew were unable to make safe progress under their own power, a decision was made to establish a tow. The boat was towed to the nearest safe port at Dunmore East Harbour. Once the safety of the vessel and its crew was established back at port, the lifeboat was washed down and ready again for service by 9.30pm.

Liz Power, Lifeboat Operations Manager with Dunmore East RNLI said: ‘Today’s shout was a good reminder of the importance of being able to stay in touch by VHF radio or phone when you go out on the water. You never know when something can go wrong and you may need to call for help. If you get into difficulty or see someone in difficulty in the water, please dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’

Ends

RNLI media contacts

For more information, please contact Dunmore East Lifeboat Press Officer, Peter Grogan on [email protected] or Nuala McAloon, RNLI Regional Communications Manager on 087 648 3547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Regional Communications Lead on 087 1254 124 or [email protected] or Tom McGuire, Regional Communications Manager on 0874764436 or email [email protected]

RNLI

Sailing vessel under tow

RNLI / Karen Harris

Crew wash down and ready lifeboat for next service

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, 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.

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