Donaghadee RNLI launches into gale force conditions to assist fishermen

The volunteer crew were requested to launch the all-weather lifeboat MacQuarie by HM Coastguard as they had received a Mayday request from the skipper.

The fishermen reported that they were taking on water, and that they were located about 2.25 nautical miles north east of Portavogie Harbour.

The lifeboat launched into a challenging sea state, with poor visibility, 3-4 metre swells and 35 to 40 knots of wind. They proceeded to make their way south at the best speed possible given the conditions.

At approximately 8.30pm, HM Coastguard advised the crew onboard that the fishing trawler had managed to make their way safely into Portavogie Harbour and that everyone onboard was safe and well, but that the boat was still taking on water. As other services were dealing with flooding in the area at the time the Coastguard requested that the RNLI lifeboat and its crew continue on to Portavogie Harbour and assist in the pumping out of the vessel, which they did.

The crew then had to make their way back to Donaghadee Harbour in continuing difficult conditions which took around an hour and 20 minutes. They were back on station and made ready for their next call out by 11.30pm.

Speaking following the call out, Coxswain John Ashwood commented: ‘This was indeed a call out that could have ended differently. Given the challenging sea conditions the skipper was absolutely correct to ask for assistance early and we were happy to oblige. Although we didn’t need to assist with a tow as he made his own way into harbour, we did our best to assist when on scene. This was a particularly nasty evening, and I give credit to my crew for their dedication and professionalism in going out on such an evening, particularly the newer crew for whom this was their first real experience of a sea like this.’

Ends

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For more information, contact Margaret Ramm, Donaghadee RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer at [email protected]

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