Two people were rescued when their boat encountered difficulties at nightfall on Dublin Bay this evening and were brought to safety by the Dun Laoghaire RNLI Inshore lifeboat (ILB).
The initial alert came shortly after 4.00pm when the 21ft open powerboat broke down almost one mile from Dun Laoghaire. The ILB launched less than ten minutes later and was alongside the casualty within five minutes.Conditions were relatively moderate but the breeze and low temperature increased the risk of exposure due to the sub-zero wind chill factor.
“A handheld VHF radio on board any small craft is an essential safety item as it allows direct contact with the Irish Coastguard service that co-ordinates marine rescue operations,” said Stephen Wynne, RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager at Dun Laoghaire. “RNLI lifeboats are then better able to directly speak with casualties.”