Arklow RNLI assists four people on large yacht adrift near Arklow Bank
On a bright Tuesday morning (2 April) at 6.30am, the Irish Coast Guard requested Arklow RNLI to launch following reports of a large yacht with four crew onboard, in difficulty near the Arklow Bank.
A short time later the charity’s volunteers launched the station’s all-weather lifeboat Ger Tigchlearr, the crew headed out of Arklow and the lifeboat made best speed to the reported position some 18 miles south east of Arklow.
Once on scene, it was established that the 16m vessel had developed engine failure. The crew assessed the situation and due to the vessel not being able to make safe progress, a decision was made to take the vessel under tow back to the nearest safe port at Arklow.
The lifeboat and the casualty vessel and crew crew aboard arrived back into Arklow at approximately 10.30am where it was secured on the pontoons in the inner dock.
Arklow RNLI’s volunteers on this call out were Coxswain Ned Dillon, station mechanic James Russell, Craig O’Reilly, John Tyrrell, David Molloy, Cillian Kavanagh and Josh McAnaspie.
Speaking following the rescue, Jimmy Myler, Arklow RNLI Launch Authority said: 'Huge thanks once again to our volunteer crew both onshore and on the lifeboat who at a moments notice go to sea to assist others, whether day or night. As we continue to enjoy the Easter break, we would remind everyone planning a trip to sea or near the coast, to respect the water. Should you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, 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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