RNLI involved in rescue off Waterford coast

Dunmore East RNLI volunteers launched in the early hours of Sunday morning, February 9, to assist a 30ft fishing vessel that had lost power three nautical miles south of Brownstown Head. 

According to a spokesperson for the RNLI in an online post, two people were on board and in need of help.

The pagers sounded at 3.11am and the crew's all-weather lifeboat, 'William & Agnes Wray', was launched into the darkness.

"They made best speed to the scene, assessed the situation, where a decision was made that the safest action was to set up a tow line," said the spokesperson on the post.

"The vessel was safely brought back to Dunmore East Harbour, ensuring the safety of both crew members," he added.

The call-out was significant for two of the crew members, Coxswain David Murray, who led his first rescue, and Bill Deevy who had his first service call in his role as mechanic afloat.

Liz Power, Lifeboat Operations Manager, commented on the event and said: "Being woken at 3am, and heading straight out to sea isn’t easy, but that’s what our volunteers do. They train for moments like this, and their response was spot on."

While praising all of the crew members for another job well done she also complimented "David and Bill" on their first call-outs in their new roles.

The RNLI volunteer crews are on call 24/7 and their work is only possible thanks to the support of the general public.