#RNLI - Following an alert by pager on Sunday 21 September, Arklow RNLI’s lifeboat Ger Tigchlear was launched within minutes to the aid of a powerboat with three persons aboard that was reported to be taking on water.
In calm conditions, the volunteer crew proceeded to scene, and after locating the vessel some two miles south-east of Arklow, a towline was quickly established to get the vessel back to port as quickly as possible.
Upon arrival at Arklow Harbour, where all hands were brought ashore safely, it was decided that due to the level of water that had entered the vessel, the salvage pump needed to be put aboard to enable refloating.
Once the water was cleared, repairs were made and the vessel was refloated and returned to her berth at Arklow Marina.
Speaking following the incident, coxswain Aidan Downey said: “This was a close call. If there had been any delay in alerting the lifeboat, this vessel would have been lost.
"Thankfully we were able to get to the casualty in the nick of time.”