Clogherhead RNLI aid drifting craft in early morning rescue

Last Friday morning, following a request by the Irish Coast Guard to go to the scene of a drifting leisure craft, 19 nautical miles east of Clogherhead, the Clogherhead volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather Shannon class lifeboat immediately under Coxswain Declan Clinton with four crew members on board.

When the lifeboat reached the scene of the drifting 42 ft. boat they found two crew members on board both unharmed and wearing life jackets. The vessel had developed fuel problems resulting in engine failure.

A decision was made to establish a towline which was done successfully. The vessel was then towed back to the nearest safe port at Port Oriel, Clogherhead. The lifeboat arrived in Port Oriel at 10.15. and saw the crew safely ashore.

Speaking following the call out, Clogherhead RNLI Coxswain Declan Clinton said:

“The crew on board this drifting vessel did the right think in contacting the Coast Guard on their VHF radio when their vessel began to drift. Most importantly they were both wearing life jackets.

"We were able to assess the situation in a short space of time and thankfully, on this occasion, there was no risk to human life. Should you get into difficulty at sea call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.”