Skerries RNLI escort five men in powerboat to safety
Skerries RNLI were tasked this afternoon (Sunday 23 July), just before 12pm, to reports that a 20ft motorboat that had left to go fishing had yet to return despite deteriorating conditions and a new small craft warning coming into effect.
The volunteers in Skerries launched their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat “Louis Simson” and proceeded to make their way around the headland at Red Island in Skerries to the last known position of the vessel.
While the lifeboat was enroute, a boatman for Skerries Sailing Club provided the volunteers in the lifeboat station with a mobile number from the vessels mooring buoy.
Contact was established with the casualty vessel, and they confirmed that they were sheltering from the weather in the lee of the islands off Skerries.
The lifeboat quickly located the vessel, with five men on board. With conditions continuing to worsen, the lifeboat offered to stand by the vessel and escort them back to the safety of Skerries harbour.
Once the men were all safely ashore, the volunteer crew returned to the station, recovered the lifeboat and made it ready for the next service.
Conditions at the time were force five to six north easterly wind with a considerable sea swell and fair to poor visibility.
Volunteers from Skerries Coast Guard unit also responded and were on hand to offer the men any assistance required as they made their way ashore.
Speaking about the call out, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Skerries RNLI, Gerry Canning said: ‘Thankfully all was well in the end and everyone made it ashore safely. The skipper of the vessel did the right thing in seeking shelter and awaiting assistance before attempting to return to the harbour in challenging conditions. We’d like to remind everyone that if you are in need of help on the water, or see someone else in need of help, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard’
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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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