Dunmore East RNLI ensures safety of yacht crew in foggy conditions
Dunmore East RNLI volunteer crew responded to a call from the Irish Coast Guard yesterday evening (10 July). The lifeboat was alerted to a yacht 5nm south of Hook Head that appeared to be stationery and not making any headway.
The Irish Coast Guard reported that they were unable to establish contact with the yacht via VHF radio, prompting the call to the Dunmore East RNLI. While no distress signal had been sent out, the team decided to launch a lifeboat as a precaution due to the encroaching fog.
Pagers were sounded at 6:44pm. The Shannon class all-weather lifeboat, the William and Agnes Wray, was promptly launched, to ensure that the yacht and its crew were not in any immediate danger. Upon reaching the yacht, the RNLI crew established that the yacht's crew of 3 people did not require any assistance.
Peter Grogan, Dunmore East RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer, commented on the situation: 'In circumstances like these, where visibility is reduced due to fog and there's a potential issue, we prefer to err on the side of caution. We were glad to learn that the yacht's crew was not in distress.'
The Dunmore East RNLI lifeboat station is always on standby, 24/7, ready to assist those in need on the water. We encourage all mariners to uphold rigorous safety measures and have the necessary equipment for any unexpected situations. Should you find yourself or witness others in maritime distress, make immediate contact with the Coast Guard by dialing 999/112 or through Marine VHF Channel 16.
Key facts about the RNLI
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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.