Skerries RNLI rescue two men on broken down fishing boat
Skerries RNLI towed a Razor clam fishing boat with two men on board to safety yesterday afternoon (31 January) after they suffered mechanical failure near Rockabill lighthouse.
The volunteers in Skerries launched the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat “Louis Simson” shortly after 1.30pm. They were paged following a notification from Dublin Coast Guard that a fishing vessel had broken down and required assistance near the Rockabill lighthouse. The lifeboat from Howth RNLI was also tasked as support and their volunteers set off from Howth towards the vessel.
The lifeboat from Skerries proceeded towards the position indicated by the stricken vessel, and following a short search of the area quickly located them approximately four miles northwest of Rockabill. They had suffered a major mechanical failure and were unable to make any headway under their own power. Due to the sea conditions, and the potential hazard to other vessels in the area, the Helm decided that the safest course of action was to tow the fishing boat back to the nearest safe port in Skerries.
An astern tow was established and the lifeboat proceeded towards Skerries with Howth RNLI standing by and providing escort in case the conditions deteriorated any further or the tow parted. In the calmer water outside the Harbour in Skerries, the fishing boat was taken into an alongside tow before being carefully maneuvered against the pier.
Conditions at the time were force five to six north westerly winds with a slight to moderate chop.
Speaking about the call out, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Skerries RNLI, Gerry Canning said: ‘This was a job well done in challenging conditions by the volunteers here in Skerries and also the volunteers from Howth. We would remind anyone going to sea to ensure that they have all the safety equipment they need. And where possible carry a VHF radio as mobile phone signal can be unreliable when you are further from the shore.’
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