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Skerries RNLI rescue two men in broken down fishing boat

Lifeboats News Release

Shortly after 4pm yesterday (Wednesday 8 January) Skerries RNLI volunteers were tasked by Dublin Coast Guard following a distress call from a small fishing vessel that had suffered engine failure south of Balbriggan.

Skerries RNLI Atlantic 85 towing the casualty vessel

RNLI/Gerry Canning

Skerries RNLI Atlantic 85 towing the casualty vessel

The volunteers in Skerries RNLI launched the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat “Louis Simson” and almost immediately after proceeding to navigate towards the last known co-ordinates provided by Dublin Coast Guard, they spotted the casualty vessel in the distance.

Once alongside, the crew assessed the two men on board, who were fit and well, and confirmed that they had suffered an engine failure. The helm decided that with the light fading, very cold temperatures, and no other vessels in the area, the safest course of action would be to tow the boat into Balbriggan harbour.

A tow was established, and shortly before 5pm, the boat was tied up safely alongside the harbour in Balbriggan. The lifeboat then returned back to the station in Skerries to be refuelled and made ready for the next call out.

Conditions at the time were force three northerly wind with a slight sea and fair visibility.

Speaking after the call out, volunteer lifeboat press officer for Skerries RNLI, Gerry Canning said “It was bitterly cold conditions out there today, but our volunteers train all year round and are ready to respond 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Thankfully the two men had made sure they had a means of contacting the shore and were able to raise the alarm with the Coast Guard.”

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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