Dunmore East RNLI rescue two people from vessel on fire

The vessel, with two people aboard, had caught fire and called the Irish Coast Guard for emergency assistance. The Dunmore East RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew were alerted at 1.27pm and the Shannon class all-weather lifeboat, William and Agnes Wray, was promptly launched. Fortunately, the situation had been brought under control and extinguished by the time the lifeboat arrived on the scene approximately 12 minutes after leaving the pontoon.

Upon arrival, the condition of the vessel and its occupants was evaluated. It was found that the crew of the vessel had followed their emergency procedures successfully, managing to control and safely extinguish the fire onboard. Despite that, the vessel was now without power and adrift.

Lifeboat coxswain, Roy Abrahamsson, spoke highly of the vessel's crew. 'Their actions today were commendable. It's a testament to their experience and training that they managed to extinguish the fire swiftly, preventing what could have been a very serious situation. They did the right thing in calling for help, and we were there to provide the support they needed. This incident underlines the importance of safety procedures and emergency preparedness at sea.'

Given the situation, the decision was made to tow the vessel back to the safety of Dunmore East Harbour. Upon arrival, Waterford Fire Brigade, Gardaí and Irish Coast Guard were on hand to conduct further checks and offer assistance if necessary.

The Dunmore East RNLI lifeboat station remains on standby, ready to assist those in need on the water. We urge all mariners to ensure they have robust safety procedures in place and the appropriate equipment to handle emergencies. Today's incident serves as a powerful reminder that these procedures can and do save lives. If you find yourself in an emergency situation or spot someone else in trouble on or near the water, dial 999/112 or use Marine VHF Channel 16 and ask for the Coast Guard.'

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.