#RNLI - RNLI lifeboats from Portrush in north Antrim and Arranmore in Donegal were launched yesterday evening (Tuesday 28 July) on separate callouts to assist fishing boats in difficult.
The Portrush all-weather lifeboat was launched at 6pm to reports of a 17-foot fishing vessel that had broken down at the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge.
Weather conditions were good with a northerly Force 4 wind with a slight swell in sea conditions. The volunteer lifeboat crew quickly arrived on scene and towed the vessel to an area where the Y boat could be safely launched to complete the tow of the vessel into nearby Ballintoy Harbour.
The Y boat is a small inflatable boat kept on the ALB and can be used to get closer to shore and small areas, and can hold two crew members. The fishermen were unharmed, but were grateful for the assistance of the volunteer crew.
"This is the standard rescue that our crews are trained to carry out," said Robin Cardwell, Portrush RNLI lifeboat operations manager. "The deployment of the Y boat to complete the tow is exactly what our crew are trained to do as the all-weather lifeboat could not have manoeuvred into the small harbour."
Meanwhile, off Donegal, the volunteer lifeboat crew from Arranmore RNLI responded to a call for assistance at 7.15pm from a boat with two crew onboard which had got into difficulty in strong winds, one and a half miles off the coast of Owey Island.
The 36ft fishing boat was on passage from Killybegs to the east coast with two people on board, when they developed engine trouble.
With a moderate northerly wind blowing, the crew of the fishing boat were concerned that they would be blown onto the island of Owey and asked for assistance.
The lifeboat arrived on scene, a short distance from Arranmore, within minutes of launching and secured a tow rope to the stricken vessel. They then proceeded to tow the boat into Burtonport Harbour where both crew members were safely landed.
Speaking following the callout, Arranmore RNLI coxswain Anton Kavanagh said: "I am pleased that we could offer assistance so quickly and I would credit the crew of the fishing boat for taking all the necessary safety precautions on their journey. They made the correct call in asking for help."