Dunmore lifeboat responds to drifting yacht off Waterford and Wexford coast
The volunteer lifeboat crew were quick to arrive at the scene of the vessel in distress. Pic: Karen Harris (Launch Authority) and Ciaran Doyle (Coxswain)
The Dunmore East RNLI lifeboat was called out to assist a vessel in distress approximately three nautical miles southeast of Hook Head.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the organisation said the 11 metre sailing vessel, with two people aboard, had lost all power and called the Irish Coast Guard for emergency assistance.
The Dunmore East RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew were alerted at 6.16pm and the Shannon class all-weather lifeboat, 'William and Agnes Wray', was promptly launched and made best speed to the reported location.
Conditions at sea at the time were described as moderate with a one metre swell and winds of Force 3 to 4.
Once on the scene, the volunteer crew assessed the situation and given the fact the sailing vessel’s crew were unable to make safe progress under their own power, a decision was made to establish a tow.
The boat was towed to Dunmore East, which was the nearest safe port. Once the safety of the vessel and its crew was established back at port, the lifeboat was washed down and ready again for service by 9.30pm.
Commenting on the incident, Liz Power, Lifeboat Operations Manager with Dunmore East RNLI said the incident presented "a good reminder of the importance of being able to stay in touch by VHF radio or phone when you go out on the water".
"You never know when something can go wrong and you may need to call for help," she said.
"If you get into difficulty or see someone in difficulty in the water, please dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard," she added.
Photo credits: Karen Harris (Launch Authority), Ciaran Doyle (Coxswain)
