First call out of the year for Tramore RNLI to assist one onboard pleasure boat

A 999 call received by the Marine Rescue Co-ordinating Centre (MRCC) from a stranded half decker pleasure boat in Tramore Bay called into action the volunteer lifeboat crew. The single occupant of the pleasure boat had raised the alarm on their mobile phone to say they had engine failure about 1km from Tramore Beach.

The lifeboat helmed by Fergal McGrath and crewed by Peter Kelly and Kevin Lehane was launched shortly after they were paged at 4.45pm. They were on scene with the within two minutes of the launch.

The casualty had lost engine power and was drifting towards the beach. The crew assessed the situation and decided to tow the broken down boat to Tramore Pier.

The lifeboat and their tow were back at Tramore Pier at 515pm and the casualty vessel was tied alongside.

Speaking following the call out, Tramore RNLI Helm Fergal McGrath said: ‘Well done to the casualty, they did the right thing in calling for help as soon as they felt they were in trouble and we were delighted to help. We would encourage anyone planning a trip to sea to always go prepared, always wear a lifejacket and always carry a means of communication. Should you get into difficulty, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’

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For more information please telephone Paul Touhy, Tramore RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 0863651977, email [email protected] or Nuala McAloon, Regional Communications Manager on 0876483547 or [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, Regional Communications Lead on 0871254124 or [email protected]

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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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