Kilkeel RNLI launched to reports of a cruiser in difficulty at Leestone Point

The 10m cruiser had gone ashore on rocks at Leestone Point and arriving on the beach, the Kilkeel Coastguard pushed the cruiser back to sea. Heading north the lone sailor realised he had a problem with the steering. The Kilkeel lifeboat, the Frank William Walton, with its volunteer crew, had arrived quickly on scene, and a crew member who was put on board the cruiser confirmed there was a problem with the steering and having assessed the situation using his professional judgement Helm Aiden Rooney made the decision to tow the cruiser to the nearest safe port, Kilkeel harbour.

The cruiser was towed into Kilkeel and berthed safely at the pontoon at 3.30pm where the Kilkeel Coastguard was in attendance.

John Fisher, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Kilkeel Lifeboat Station said ‘Sea conditions were good and the visibility excellent and in deciding to tow in the cruiser our newest helm Aiden Rooney made the correct decision and under his guidance the cruiser was berthed safely and all was well.’

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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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