Portrush RNLI all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch by the coastguard on Sunday evening (1 November) at 7.06pm to reports of a 14-metre fishing vessel that had suffered engine failure just off Ballycastle Harbour.
The volunteer crew launched at 7.26pm into a slightly choppy sea state, with partially cloudy skies and a light southerly wind in this part of Northern Ireland.
Arriving on scene at 8.10pmm the lifeboat crew found the fishing vessel was already under tow by another vessel and had transferred the crew into their boat.
A risk assessment was carried out, and it was agreed that that the best option was that Portrush RNLI would take over the tow.
Volunteer crew were transferred onto the stricken vessel to establish the tow lines, and the vessel was taken into the nearest harbour which was Ballycastle, where it was handed over to the coastguard.
Portrush RNLI coxswain Karl O’Neill said: “Weather conditions were ideal for this kind of tow. Once on scene and the risk assessment was carried out, it was clear that the best option for both boats was the tow back to Ballycastle Harbour.”
