#RNLI - Both Wicklow RNLI lifeboats were launched just before 7pm on Sunday evening (12 July) to assist a motor cruiser at the south end of Brittas Bay beach.
The owner of the motor cruiser contacted the Irish Coast Guard by mobile phone to say his vessel had made contact with an underwater object and that they were taking on water.
The inshore lifeboat arrived on scene near Mizen Head and was alongside the casualty at 7.30pm. A lifeboat crew member went on board the motor cruiser to assess the damage. There was some water ingress, but this was being cleared by the boat's own pump.
Weather conditions in the area had a southwest Force 3 wind, with a calm sea state and good visibility.
Wicklow RNLI coxswain Nick Keogh decided Arklow would be the quickest port to reach as the tide was flowing south, so the all-weather lifeboat escorted the casualty south to Arklow Port. The inshore lifeboat was released and returned to station at 7.40pm.
The motor vessel, with two male occupants, and the escorting lifeboat reached Arklow at 8.15pm. They required no medical assistance. The all-weather lifeboat then returned to station at Wicklow.
The crew on the all-weather lifeboat were Keogh, mechanic Connie O'Gara, Tommy McAulay, Dave O'Leary, Lisa O'Leary Terry Sillery and Dean Mulvihill. The inshore lifeboat crew were Graham Fitzgerald, Alan Goucher and David Collard.