Clogherhead RNLI lifeboat in early morning rescue
Clogherhead RNLI volunteers were tasked by the Coast Guard on Friday (13 October) to come to the aid of a drifting 42 ft. leisure craft.
At 06.30 following a request by the Irish Coast Guard to go to the scene of a drifting leisure craft, 19 nautical miles east of Clogherhead, the Clogherhead volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather Shannon class lifeboat immediately under Coxswain Declan Clinton with four crew members on board.
When the lifeboat reached the scene of the drifting 42 ft. boat they found two crew members on board both unharmed and wearing life jackets. The vessel had developed fuel problems resulting in engine failure.
Having assessed the situation, a decision was made to establish a towline which was done successfully. The vessel was then towed back to the nearest safe port at Port Oriel, Clogherhead. The lifeboat arrived in Port Oriel at 10.15. and saw the crew safely ashore.
Speaking following the call out, Clogherhead RNLI Coxswain Declan Clinton said: “The crew on board this drifting vessel did the right think in contacting the Coast Guard on their VHF radio when their vessel began to drift. Most importantly they were both wearing life jackets. We were able to assess the situation in a short space of time and thankfully, on this occasion, there was no risk to human life. Should you get into difficulty at sea call 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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