Lifeboat rescues sinking yacht in Killiney

23rd February 2009

Three people were rescued when the RNLI All-weather lifeboat from Dun Laoghaire was called to the assistance of a yacht sinking in Killiney Bay on Sunday afternoon. The incident took place shortly after 5pm when the crew of the 54-foot yacht Tabar discovered water flooding through the cabin area shortly after starting its engine to begin motoring as winds had freshened.

The yacht’s own bilge pumps were unable to cope with the ingress of water and a Mayday call was issued.

The Irish Coastguard service at MRCC Dublin tasked the RNLI’s All-Weather lifeboat ‘Anna Livia’ that launched at 5.33pm and the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter from Dublin Airport that stood-by the casualty vessel.

Two lifeboat crew and a salvage pump were transferred to the Tabar that now had water-level above its engine and rising steadily. The yacht was taken in tow to Dun Laoghaire Marina where the leak was identified as the propeller shaft.

Earlier in the day, Dun Laoghaire’s Inshore lifeboat escorted the two occupants on-board a small RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) to safety when their craft became entangled in a lobster pot off the West Pier and they called for assistance.

Nobody was injured in either incident.

Published in News From the Afloat.ie Archive

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