Wicklow RNLI bring four people to safety
Wicklow RNLI volunteers brought four people to safety Tuesday night (23 June), after their vessels engine developed mechanical problems eight miles northeast of Wicklow harbour.
The all-weather lifeboat RNLB Bridie O’Shea slipped its mooring shortly after 9.30pm under the command of Coxswain Tommy MacAuley.
The volunteer lifeboat crew located the casualty vessel 20 minutes after launching in a position eight miles northeast of Wicklow Harbour. Conditions on scene were calm wind, with calm seas and good visibility.
A local work boat responded to the call for assistance and stood by the casualty until the volunteer crew arrived on scene.
With the casualty vessel disabled by its mechanical issues, its proximity to the India Bank, shipping lanes and with no other vessels available to help, Coxswain MacAuley assessed that the best course of action was to take the vessel under tow to a safe harbour.
With the nearest safe harbour being Greystones, this was the best choice.
The tow was established, and a course set for Greystones Harbour with the casualty vessel being secured alongside at 11.45pm.
The volunteer crew then made their way back to Wicklow harbour arriving at 12.15am
Speaking after the callout Launch Authority Adrian O’Connor 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.’
RNLI Media Contacts
For further information, please contact:
Connie OGara, 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.
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