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Rosslare Harbour RNLI comes to aid of 12m sailing yacht with two crew onboard

Lifeboats News Release

Rosslare Harbour RNLI was requested by the Irish Coast Guard at 8.45am on Saturday (1 July) to go to the aid of two people onboard a 12m yacht that got into difficulty..

Rosslare Harbour RNLI with the vessel under tow

RNLI/Rosslare Harbour

Rosslare Harbour RNLI with the vessel under tow
The lifeboat was launched at 9am and reached the scene off Greenore Point at 9.15am.

A 12m sailing yacht had fouled its propeller half a mile from the Splaugh Buoy. Having assessed the situation and consulted with the two crew on board, a decision was made to tow the vessel to Rosslare Harbour. A tow line was secured at 9.20am and the vessel was safely berthed alongside the fisherman’s wall at 10.12am.

The lifeboat returned to the station at 10.45am for refuelling and wash down.

The yacht's crew were wearing flotation devices and were safe and well.

The sea was calm in a force 2 to 3 wind. The weather was fair and visibility was good.

The lifeboat volunteer crew included Coxswain Eamon O’Rourke, mechanic Keith Morris and crew Dave McCusker, Andrew Ironside and Seán Cullen.

Speaking following the call out, Tony Kehoe, Rosslare Harbour Deputy Launhing Authority said: 'We commend the yacht's crew for wearing their flotation safety devices and for carrying communication equipment. It is essential that sailors contact the Coast Guard when in difficulty. We also commended a local fisherman for his crucial intervention in ensuring a safe, speedy and safe conclusion to the service.'

Ends


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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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