A lone sailor on an eight-metre yacht alerted the Irish Coast Guard that he was in difficulty off Raven Point in Curracloe on Tuesday afternoon (21 July).
Rosslare Harbour RNLI were in turn tasked by the coastguard and the all-weather lifeboat launched at 4.23pm.
When the volunteer crew reached the scene 10 minutes later, they contacted the yacht’s sole occupant, who was safe and uninjured, and learned that the vessel was taking on water.
Having assessed the situation, it was decided to attach a line and tow the yacht to the safety of Rosslare Harbour, where it was moored on Berth 4 at 5.35pm.
Weather conditions were good during this call-out with reasonable visibility, a Force 4 north-easterly wind and a slight swell.
Rosslare Harbour RNLI launch authority Aidan O’Sullivan paid tribute to the volunteer crew for an excellent service and outcome.
Aidan also stressed the importance of sailors having the necessary communications equipment on board and wearing the proper safety equipment. And he reiterated the importance of calling the Irish Coast Guard on 999 or 112 when in difficulty in the water.
The volunteer lifeboat crew on this call-out were coxswain Eamon O’Rourke, mechanic Keith Morris, navigator Samuel Kelly, Paul McCormack, Stephen Breen, Séamus McDonald, Séan Cullen.
