Rosslare Hbr & Kilmore Quay RNLI rescue two people onboard yacht taking on water

The Rosslare Harbour RNLI volunteer crew were requested to launch their Severn class lifeboat Donald and Barbara Broadhead by the Irish Coast Guard at 4.52pm. The lifeboat under Coxswain Eamonn O’Rourke and with six crew members on board, launched at 5.10pm, arriving on scene at 5.30pm. At the time a Force 5 south westerly wind was blowing with moderate seas but with good visibility.

Having assessed the situation and in consultation with the yacht crew, two lifeboat crew boarded the casualty vessel with a bilge pump which prevented further flooding aboard the vessel. A tow was established at 5.40pm. However, given the inclement weather conditions at Rosslare Harbour, it was decided that it would be safer to bring the yacht to Kilmore Quay harbour.

Following a request by the Irish Coast Guard, the volunteer RNLI crew at Kilmore Quay, who at the time were taking part in the opening of the annual Kilmore Quay Seafood Festival, launched their all-weather Tamar class lifeboat, Killarney, arriving on scene at Carnsore Point at 8.15pm.

The crews worked together to transfer the tow to the second lifeboat relieving the Rosslare Harbour lifeboat and crew to return to base. Two members of the Kilmore Quay crew were transferred to the casualty vessel and the boats made their way back to Kilmore Quay arriving just after 10.00pm.

Speaking following the call out, Deputy Launch Authority, Tony Kehoe, said: 'I would like to commend both crews on the successful outcome which was down to the excellent cooperation and teamwork between all involved. I would also like to commend the crew of the yacht for raising the alarm when they did, ensuring we got to them in time. It is vital to have proper means of communication such as VHF radio when heading out to sea as they did.'

The Rosslare Harbour Crew involved in the call out were Coxswain Eamonn O’Rourke, mechanic Mick Nicholas, crew members: Dave McCusker, Paul McCormack, Conor Barry, Keith Morris and Peter Carr.

The Kilmore Quay RNLI lifeboat crew involved in the call out were Coxswain Aidan Bates, mechanic Philip Walsh, crew members: Sean Furlong, Michelle Hinchy, Mark Power, Tom Lambert and Michael Roche.

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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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