Kilmore Quay RNLI launched on Saturday afternoon to assist a fishing boat with two people aboard after it suffered a fouled propeller near the Keeragh Islands. The volunteer crew launched the Tamar class lifeboat RNLB Killarney at 2.18 pm following a request from the Irish Coast Guard.
Under Coxswain Nigel Kehoe and with five crew members on board, the lifeboat made its way to the casualty located five nautical miles north-west of Kilmore Quay.
The crew arrived on scene at 2.45 pm and confirmed that both people aboard were safe and well. After assessing the conditions, the RNLI crew decided the safest option was to establish a tow and return the disabled vessel to shore.
Weather conditions at the time were described as good, with a Force 2 to 3 westerly wind and a slight sea state. The fishing boat was towed safely back to Kilmore Quay, arriving at 3.50 pm.
Following the operation, the lifeboat returned to its berth and was prepared for further service.
Speaking after the callout, Coxswain Nigel Kehoe praised the crew of the fishing vessel for raising the alarm promptly. “The lads made the right decision to call for assistance when they did,” he said. “We would remind anyone planning a trip to sea to always wear a life jacket and to always carry a means of calling for help.”
“If you do get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard,” he added.
