RNLI helps lobster boat mile off Baginbun Head
FETHARD LIFEBOAT launched to a 21-foot fishing vessel with a fouled propeller one mile from Baginbun Head on Friday morning. There was one fisherman on board the boat. While the lobster pots were being recovered on to the vessel a rope became tangled in the propeller, preventing the vessel from moving, leaving it stranded. The lifeboat launched from Fethard dock in good weather with a northerly wind gusting 3/4 knots. Fethard lifeboat was on scene with the fishing vessel at 11.05 a.m. The volunteer lifeboat crew were able to release the rope and the fishing vessel came back to Fethard Dock under its own power. Speaking following the call out, Walter Foley, Fethard RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: ‘ The fisherman did exactly the right thing calling for the assistance of the RNLI. Weather conditions were good and allowed the volunteer crew to swiftly release the rope from the propeller allowing the fishing vessel to return under its own steam.’ Fethard RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew on the callout were Helm Thomas Stafford and Nicoletta Parrell, Dean Foley, Damian McGarry. The launch vehicle driver was Eileen Murphy. FIANNA FÁIL councillor Michael Sheehan is calling for the establishment of a board of governors for the new South East Technological University Project.
The New Ross councillor welcomed the announcement of the €1.5m investment for the university last week, saying that it marks the removal of a hurdle that will now allow the full team to progress.
He said: ‘ This issue is going on too long and too slow. As the latest South East monitor report has clearly demonstrated, that due to the lack of a university, we are 14 years behind economically and that the lack of collaboration and access has had a terrible effect on the region socially.
‘Our region is a black spot for employment and investment, so the addition of such a key asset would begin to reverse the decline of the area.’
Cllr Sheehan said he is calling on all parties to start the process of recruiting the board of governors and begin the process of merging the ITs.