Youghal RNLI lifeboat crew escort two people safely to shore
Youghal RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew were tasked to launch for the fourth time over the May bank holiday weekend, this evening (Monday 1 May).
It followed a report of a 5.5 metre RIB (rigid inflatable boat) that had broken down due to engine failure, approximately five miles south-east of Youghal Harbour.
The Atlantic 85 class lifeboat, helmed by John Griffin Jnr, launched at 3.32pm and reached the casualty vessel within ten minutes. Weather conditions were favourable with a force 3 south-westerly wind on a falling tide.
When the lifeboat crew arrived on scene the crew observed that the two people onboard the vessel had succeeded in restarting the engine and that the boat was now functionally operating. They did not need further assistance but requested the lifeboat crew to escort them back to the Ferry point in Youghal harbour where they originally had set out from, in case the vessel got into difficulty again.
Youghal RNLI Deputy Launching Authority Mark Nolan said ‘The two people aboard the boat had many means of communication to call for assistance and they were able to successfully contact the Coast Guard and request help. As they were far from land when the vessel broke down, this was an important for their safety, while at sea.’
‘This call out was the fourth one for our volunteer crew over the bank holiday weekend and I would like to thank them, along with our shore crew, for dropping everything to answer these calls. As volunteers, they train for each type of emergency at sea and often don’t know what they are launching to until they arrive on scene. Sadly, during the weekend, the lifeboat crew launched, as part of a multi-agency response, to an incident in Whiting Bay where a young man drowned in a swimming accident. We send our condolences to his family and friends at this sad time.’
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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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