Fenit RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat volunteer crew were called out early on Sunday morning (24 May) when a yacht lost its power and steerage north of Loop Head in Co Clare.
The lifeboat crew pagers sounded at 3.03am after a pan-pan signal was received from the 10-metre vessel by the Irish Coast Guard. Fenit RNLI’s launch authority on duty, Peter Clifford, then quickly requested the launch of the all-weather Lifeboat Robert Hywel Jones Williams.
It was established that the yacht, carrying three people on board en route from Rossaveal in Co Galway to Kilrush in Co Clare, initially reported it had lost engine power and was experiencing difficulties with its rudder.
The MFV Celtic Sun, which was fishing in the area at the time, was the first to respond to the pan-pan and remained on standby until the Fenit RNLI lifeboat arrived. Sea conditions during the rescue were favourable, with a Force 3 south-westerly wind and a 2.3-metre swell.
The lifeboat arrived on scene at 4.40am. Contact was made with the yacht’s crew, who were all fit and well, and lifeboat coxswain Kevin Moriarty assessed the situation.
After consulting with the skipper, it was determined that a tow was necessary and would be the safest way to assist the crew and bring them to safety. A towline was successfully established at 4.55am and the yacht was towed to the safety of Fenit Harbour some hours later, arriving at 10.20am.
Speaking following the call-out, Moriarty said: “The training undertaken by the crew was vital and they all worked very well together. I wish the crew of the vessel well on the remainder of their journey. Should anyone get into difficulty at sea, always call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”
Joining Moriarty on board the lifeboat for this operation were mechanic Kevin Honeyman and crew members Caroline Corkery, Ciaran Forde, Cian Lawless, Shane Mulcair and Terry Sheehy.
