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Wicklow RNLI brings three fishermen to safety after boat breaks down

Lifeboats News Release

Wicklow RNLI brought three fishermen to safety yesterday (Monday 18 March), after their vessel developed mechanical problems 11 nautical miles northeast of Wicklow Harbour.

RNLI/Tommy Dover

The lifeboat launching on the rescue.

The all-weather lifeboat RNLB Bridie O'Shea slipped its mooring at 12.19pm 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 30 minutes after launching in a position 11 miles northeast of Wicklow Harbour. Conditions on scene were wind from a north easterly direction force 5/6, with moderate seas and good visibility.

After an assessment of the situation was carried out by Coxswain 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 the nearest safe port at Wicklow Harbour with the casualty vessel being secured alongside at 3.50pm.

Speaking after the call out, Wicklow RNLI Coxswain Alan Goucher said: ‘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.’

Ends

RNLI/Tommy Dover

The crew after the callout

Key facts about the RNLI

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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