Wicklow RNLI’s volunteers brought four people to safety on Tuesday night (23 June) after their vessel’s engine developed mechanical problems eight miles north-east of Wicklow Harbour.
The all-weather lifeboat Bridie O’Shea slipped its mooring shortly after 9.30pm under the command of coxswain Tommy MacAuley.
Twenty minutes later, the volunteer lifeboat crew located the casualty vessel. Conditions on scene had a calm wind, with calm seas and good visibility.
A local work boat had also responded to the call for assistance and stood by the casualty until the volunteer crew arrived on scene.
With the casualty vessel disabled by its mechanical issues, its proximity to the India Bank, shipping lanes and with no other vessels available to help, coxswain MacAuley assessed that the best course of action was to take the vessel under tow to a safe harbour.
With the nearest safe harbour being Greystones, this was deemed the best choice. The tow was established and a course set for Greystones Harbour, with the casualty vessel being secured alongside at 11.45pm.
Speaking after the call-out, launch authority Adrian O’Connor said: “This was a quick response by our volunteer crew, with their training and equipment providing a successful outcome for all.
“I’d like to remind anyone going on the water in this good weather to have a suitable means of calling for assistance. If you see anyone in trouble on the water, please call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”
