Donate now
Wicklow RNLI bring three people to safety after 11m boat breaks down
Wicklow RNLI's volunteers brought three people to safety in the early hours of this morning (Monday 27 July), after their vessel's engine developed mechanical problems 11 miles southeast of Wicklow Harbour late last night.
The all-weather lifeboat RNLB Bridie O’Shea slipped its mooring at 11.05pm under the command of Coxswain Nicky Keogh. It followed a request from the Irish Coast Guard following a report that the boat's engine was overheating.
The volunteer lifeboat crew located the boat 30 minutes after launching. Conditions on scene were wind from a west to northwest direction, force 3-4, with light to moderate seas and good visibility.
With the vessel disabled by its mechanical issues and given its proximity to the shipping lanes and with no other vessels available to help, Coxswain Keogh assessed that the safest course of action was to take the vessel under tow to the nearest safe port at Wicklow Harbour where the boat was secured alongside the east pier at 2.10am.
Speaking after the call out, Mick Nolan, Wicklow RNLI Launch Authority said: ‘This was a quick response by our volunteer crew with their training and equipment providing a successful outcome for all. I’d like to remind anyone going on the water in this good weather to have a suitable means of calling for assistance. If you see anyone in trouble on the water, please call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’
Ends
RNLI Media Contacts
For further information, please contact:
Connie O'Gara, 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]
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.