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Lough Swilly RNLI rescue four fishermen in all night call out

Lifeboats News Release

Lough Swilly RNLI rescued four fishermen after they got into difficulty off Malin Head in County Donegal.

The volunteer lifeboat crew spent almost nine hours at sea on Tuesday night (13 March) after launching at the request of the Irish Coast following a report that a crabber with four onboard had broken down five nautical miles north west of Malin Head.

The all-weather lifeboat under Coxswain George O’Hagan and with five crew members onboard launched into the darkness at 10.45pm and made its way to the scene.

Weather conditions were not favourable with 2-3m short and sharp sea swells.

Once on scene, the lifeboat crew checked that the fishermen were safe and well before working with them to connect a tow line and begin the long passage to Rathmullan Pier.

Speaking following the call out, Joe Joyce, Lough Swilly RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said: ‘This was a long and challenging call out for our volunteers given the sea conditions but they were more than happy to help and delighted to bring the fishermen to safety. This call out was a fine example of the willingness of volunteers to forgo the warmth and comfort of their beds for a cold and rough night at sea in order to help others.’

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For more information please contact Nuala McAloon RNLI Regional Media Officer Ireland on 00353876483547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson RNLI Regional Media Manager Ireland on 00353871254124 or [email protected]

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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 142,700 lives.

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