#lifeboat – Volunteer lifeboat crew with Rosslare Harbour RNLI launched at 12.15pm this afternoon (Wednesday 11 February) to a Mayday from a sinking 10 metre fishing vessel located a mile and a half from Rosslare Harbour. The lifeboat crew pulled a local fisherman from the water and two other fishermen were rescued by another vessel that was in the area at the time.
The volunteer lifeboat crew launched both the station's all weather lifeboat and boarding boat and conditions at the time were calm with visibility fair. On arrival at the scene the lifeboat crew pulled a fisherman from the water and two other fishermen were recovered onto another vessel, which had also made its way to the spot where the boat got into trouble. The vessel sank shortly afterwards.
The two local fishermen were transferred onto the RNLI boat and brought back with the third crewmember to the lifeboat station where they were given first aid and warm clothing. They were later transferred to Wexford hospital by ambulance.
Commenting on the callout Rosslare RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Dave Maloney said, 'The swift action of the volunteer lifeboat crew and that of the other local vessel saved the lives of these fishermen. As we know all too well, boats can sink without a trace in a matter of minutes. Thankfully these three men have been brought to safety and we wish them a full recovery from their ordeal.
