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Displaying items by tag: Propeller

#RNLI - A fishing vessel with a fouled propeller was towed to safety by Wicklow RNLI this morning (21 June).

The volunteer crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 10am following a report that a fishing vessel was in difficulty after a rope got fouled in its propeller.

The incident had echoes of Wednesday's rescue of a couple from their similarly fouled yacht off Arklow, as reported on Afloat.ie.

Wicklow RNLI's lifeboat crew located the drifting vessel was located by the lifeboat crew some six miles off Wicklow Head shortly after 10.30am. 

A towline was quickly established and the boat was towed back to Wicklow harbour where it was safely secured alongside the south quay at midday.

Another fouling incident occurred further up the coast yesterday evening, as Skerries RNLI yesterday brought two people to safety after their motorboat got into difficulty.

The volunteer crew launched their inshore lifeboat on what was their second call out of the day shortly after 7pm following a report that a 29ft motorboat was in difficulty between Rogerstown Estuary and Lambay Island.

Weather conditions at the time were calm with a force one to two wind. Arriving on scene, the lifeboat – helmed by Willie Boylan – quickly located the motorboat which had lowered its anchor to wait for help to arrive.



Once it was established that the motorboat had fouled its propeller, a crew member was put on board the boat and a towline was established. The vessel was then brought safely back to Malahide Marina.



Speaking after the call-out, Skerries RNLI crew member Conor Walsh said: "Thankfully the crew had a VHF radio on board and were able to call for help. We were happy to assist and to be able to bring them and their boat safely to shore."

Published in RNLI Lifeboats

#RNLI - Arklow RNLI rescued a man and woman after their 12m yacht got into difficulty of the Wicklow coast yesterday afternoon (Wednesday 19 June).

The volunteer crew was requested to launch their all-weather lifeboat at 12.23pm following a report that a vessel was in distress four miles north of Arklow.

The man and woman on board the stricken vessel had been travelling from Scotland and were Arklow-bound on their journey home to Kent when they got into difficulty. Weather at the time was good.

Arriving on scene, the crew on board the lifeboat Ger Tigchelaar - under coxswain Ned Dillon - assessed the situation and observed that the vessel’s propeller had been fouled.

The stricken yacht’s crew had made efforts to clear the fouled lines. A tow line was quickly established and the vessel was towed safely back to Arklow.

Speaking after the call-out, Arklow RNLI volunteer lifeboat press officer Mark Corcoran said: "The man and woman on board the yacht this afternoon came into the lifeboat station to express their appreciation to the crew who were delighted to assist and to be able to bring them and their vessel safely to shore."

Crew members on board the lifeboat included coxswain Ned Dillon, mechanic Michael Fitzgerald, Brendan Dillon, Roger Tyrell and Andy O’Loughlin.

Published in RNLI Lifeboats

Ferry & Car Ferry News The ferry industry on the Irish Sea, is just like any other sector of the shipping industry, in that it is made up of a myriad of ship operators, owners, managers, charterers all contributing to providing a network of routes carried out by a variety of ships designed for different albeit similar purposes.

All this ferry activity involves conventional ferry tonnage, 'ro-pax', where the vessel's primary design is to carry more freight capacity rather than passengers. This is in some cases though, is in complete variance to the fast ferry craft where they carry many more passengers and charging a premium.

In reporting the ferry scene, we examine the constantly changing trends of this sector, as rival ferry operators are competing in an intensive environment, battling out for market share following the fallout of the economic crisis. All this has consequences some immediately felt, while at times, the effects can be drawn out over time, leading to the expense of others, through reduced competition or takeover or even face complete removal from the marketplace, as witnessed in recent years.

Arising from these challenging times, there are of course winners and losers, as exemplified in the trend to run high-speed ferry craft only during the peak-season summer months and on shorter distance routes. In addition, where fastcraft had once dominated the ferry scene, during the heady days from the mid-90's onwards, they have been replaced by recent newcomers in the form of the 'fast ferry' and with increased levels of luxury, yet seeming to form as a cost-effective alternative.

Irish Sea Ferry Routes

Irrespective of the type of vessel deployed on Irish Sea routes (between 2-9 hours), it is the ferry companies that keep the wheels of industry moving as freight vehicles literally (roll-on and roll-off) ships coupled with motoring tourists and the humble 'foot' passenger transported 363 days a year.

As such the exclusive freight-only operators provide important trading routes between Ireland and the UK, where the freight haulage customer is 'king' to generating year-round revenue to the ferry operator. However, custom built tonnage entering service in recent years has exceeded the level of capacity of the Irish Sea in certain quarters of the freight market.

A prime example of the necessity for trade in which we consumers often expect daily, though arguably question how it reached our shores, is the delivery of just in time perishable products to fill our supermarket shelves.

A visual manifestation of this is the arrival every morning and evening into our main ports, where a combination of ferries, ro-pax vessels and fast-craft all descend at the same time. In essence this a marine version to our road-based rush hour traffic going in and out along the commuter belts.

Across the Celtic Sea, the ferry scene coverage is also about those overnight direct ferry routes from Ireland connecting the north-western French ports in Brittany and Normandy.

Due to the seasonality of these routes to Europe, the ferry scene may be in the majority running between February to November, however by no means does this lessen operator competition.

Noting there have been plans over the years to run a direct Irish –Iberian ferry service, which would open up existing and develop new freight markets. Should a direct service open, it would bring new opportunities also for holidaymakers, where Spain is the most visited country in the EU visited by Irish holidaymakers ... heading for the sun!