Wicklow RNLI brings three fishermen to safety after boat breaks down
Wicklow RNLI has brought three fishermen to safety this morning (Wednesday 6 September), after their vessel developed mechanical problems 12 nautical miles northeast of Wicklow Harbour.
The all-weather lifeboat RNLB Joanna and Henry Williams slipped its mooring at 8.55am to reports of a fishing boat with engine failure. The lifeboat was under the command of Coxswain Alan Goucher.
The volunteer lifeboat crew located the casualty vessel 35 minutes after launching in a position 12 miles northeast of Wicklow Harbour. Conditions on scene were wind from a north easterly direction force 1, with moderate calm seas, however visibility was incredibly poor at only 100m.
After an assessment of the situation was carried out by Coxswain Alan Goucher, it was decided a tow was the best option given the casualty vessel's engine failure.
The tow was established, and a course set for Wicklow Harbour with the casualty vessel being secured alongside at 11am.
The all-weather lifeboat was then made ready for the next call out.
Speaking after the call out, Wicklow RNLI Coxswain Alan Goucher said: ‘The visibility on scene was incredibly poor and it required extensive navigation skills to safely find the casualty and her crew. All the volunteer crew's training for these types of conditions was put to very good use today. We would like to remind everyone to have an effective means of communication in case of an emergency. That communication helped us locate the casualty today.’
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