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Kilmore Quay RNLI launched to assist five people aboard motorboat adrift

Lifeboats News Release

Kilmore Quay RNLI launched Monday afternoon (27 July) to assist the crew of a 9m motorboat with engine failure adrift near the Saltee Islands

Slightly rippling sea and blue sky with Tamar class lifeboat in the foreground, a small white motorboat behind it at an angle connected by tow line, with the east end of Little Saltee island visible in the distant background

RNLI/Elaine Walsh

RNLB Killarney towing a motorboat back to Kilmore Quay
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The volunteer crew were requested to launch their all-weather Tamar class lifeboat RNLB Killarney by the Irish Coast Guard at 1.54 pm. The lifeboat under Coxswain Aidan Bates and with four crew members on board promptly launched and made its way to the scene north of the Great Saltee. Visibility was good with a light westerly breeze, Force 2 to 3. Sea conditions at the time were described as slight.

Arriving at the location at 2.18 pm, the lifeboat crew checked that everyone on board the vessel was safe and well before assessing the situation. Taking into consideration the position of the drifting boat, it was decided that the safest course of action was to establish a tow to bring the disabled craft back to shore.

The lifeboat was soon under way to the nearest available harbour at Kilmore Quay arriving at 2.50 pm without further incident. The vessel safely secured, the lifeboat returned to its berth in the marina and was made ready again for service.

Speaking following the call out, Coxswain Aidan Bates said: ‘We were very pleased that there was a successful outcome to today's call out. Being able to respond so quickly is due to the equipment and training our volunteer crew receive. As a charity, the RNLI depends entirely on public generosity, which is why we’re hoping there will be a big turnout for our annual Lifeboat Day this Bank Holiday Sunday, 2 August here in Kilmore Quay.’

The annual Kilmore Quay Lifeboat Open Day and fundraiser takes place on Sunday 2 August from noon until 5.00 pm at the marina in Kilmore Quay. The lifeboat will be on display with stalls, games, entertainment and refreshments available at the marina promising lots of family fun throughout the afternoon.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Elaine Walsh, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Ireland, [email protected]

Nuala McAloon, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Ireland, 087 648 3547, [email protected]

Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Ireland, 087 125 4124, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok 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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