Rosslare Harbour and Kilmore Quay RNLI rescue nine people on rudderless yacht

Kilmore Quay RNLI’s volunteer crew were requested to launch their all-weather Tamar class lifeboat Killarney, by the Irish Coast Guard at 8.40pm. The lifeboat under Coxswain Eugene Kehoe and with six crew members onboard immediately launched and made its way to the scene. The yacht had been taking part in the Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Yacht Race. A second yacht taking part in the race stood by with the stricken vessel until the lifeboat arrived.

The Rosslare Harbour volunteer crew were requested to launch their all-weather Severn class lifeboat Donald and Barbara Broadhead, by the Irish Coast Guard at 9.25pm. The lifeboat under Coxswain Micheál Ferguson and with five crew members onboard immediately launched and made its way to the scene arriving at 9.55pm where a towline had been established to the yacht by the Kilmore Quay crew.

The sea was moderately choppy in a moderate north-easterly wind. Visibility was good. Given the location of the vessel and the conditions at the time, it was decided that the safest option was to tow the vessel to Rosslare Harbour. The towline was secured to the Rosslare Harbour lifeboat at 10.40pm. The yacht was safely berthed in Rosslare Harbour at 11.50pm alongside the lifeboat. All nine crew on board the yacht was wearing a flotation device and were unharmed.

The Kilmore Quay RNLI lifeboat crew involved in the call out were Coxswain Eugene Kehoe, Mechanic Philip Walsh and crew members Aidan Bates, Declan Roche, Trevor Devereux, Sean Furlong and Dermot Kavanagh.

The Rosslare RNLI lifeboat crew involved in the call out were Coxswain, Micheál Ferguson, Mechanic, Keith Morris and crew members, Peter Carr, Paul McCormack, Stephen Breen and Conor Barry.

Speaking following the call out, Tony Kehoe, Rosslare Harbour RNLI Deputy Launching Authority said: ‘We were delighted to work with our colleagues at Kilmore Quay RNLI to bring these nine sailors to safety. We would like to commend the sailors for going to sea prepared and for wearing proper flotation devices and having good communication equipment when at sea, that is always the right thing to do.

‘As we continue to enjoy some good weather, we would encourage anyone planning a trip to the coast or an activity at sea to go prepared. Always check weather and tide times, always carry a mean of communication such as a VHF radio or mobile phone in a waterproof pouch and always wear a lifejacket or suitable flotation device. Let someone on the shore know where you are going and when you are due back. Should you get into difficulty, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’

Ends

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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.