#RNLI - The crew of Bundoran RNLI were tasked yesterday afternoon (19 January) for their first call out of 2014, to an 18ft pleasure craft with two people on board which suffered engine failure off Mullaghmore Head in Co Sligo.
The alarm was raised with Malin Head Coast Guard shortly before 4pm by mobile phone and the lifeboat launched within three minutes, as many of the crew were already on station completing their Advanced Cardiac First Responder course.
On arriving at the scene, the volunteer crew found that the occupiers of the pleasure craft were being assisted by local charter fishing boats. The Bundoran lifeboat crew then took the craft under tow to Mullaghmore harbour and returned then to the lifeboat station.
Speaking afterwards, Bundoran RNLI deputy launching authority Patrick O'Doherty said: "We were happy to assist the boat owners who had the misfortune of having their engine lose power while out on a Sunday afternoon.
"We would advise all boat owners to ensure that they have a means of contacting the coastguard in case of emergency when out on the water. We would especially recommend the use of a handheld VHF radio which also allows our equipment on the lifeboat to locate a signal quickly."