Dun Laoghaire RNLI’s inshore and all-weather lifeboats launched to rescue four people aboard a 11-meter motor vessel on fire in Dublin Bay, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.
The inshore lifeboat crew launched at 3.51pm on Saturday (18 April) and reached the casualty vessel within 13 minutes of pagers sounding, with a quick decision made to bring all four sailors aboard the inshore lifeboat.
The cabin of the casualty vessel was engulfed in flames five minutes after passengers were brought aboard.
After a preliminary casualty care check was carried out, the lifeboat returned to Dun Laoghaire station, bringing the casualties ashore to be passed into the care of waiting paramedics.
Helm Paul Cummins said: “The skipper on the boat had acted responsibly and followed correct safety procedures, prioritising the safety of his passengers in this difficult situation. Without his quick action, today could have taken a very different turn.”
Before leaving the scene, the Dun Laoghaire inshore crew alerted the coastguard that the burning vessel was drifting towards an anchored tanker. The tanker weighed anchor and cleared away from the path of the burning vessel.
The all-weather lifeboat Anna Livia arrived on scene to take over from the inshore, monitoring the condition and location of the floating burning vessel until the arrival of a tugboat with firefighting capabilities from Dublin Port arrived. The lifeboat was stood down when the vessel was no longer a danger to anything in its surroundings.
Aoife Ward, Dun Laoghaire lifeboat press officer said: “Time is of the essence in an emergency, so if you see someone in difficulty on the water, please ring 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”
The inshore lifeboat crew on this callout were Paul Cummins (helm), Ciara Doran and Simon Wall. The all-weather lifeboat crew were Stuart Kane (coxswain), Hazel Rea, Rory Bolton and Kieran “Colley” O’Connell. Shore crew were James Traynor and Jay Farrelly.
