Round Ireland yacht rescued
A YACHT which is due to take part in the Round Ireland race this weekend had to be rescued by Wicklow lifeboat yesterday (Tuesday) morning.
The Wicklow all-weather lifeboat launched on Tuesday to assist the yacht off the Wicklow coast.
The vessel was on passage from Canary Islands to Dun Laoghaire to take part in the Round Ireland Yacht Race.
The skipper of the 15-metre trimaran yacht contacted the Coast Guard after it developed problems ten miles off the Wicklow coast.
A yacht which is due to take part in the Round Ireland race this weekend had to be rescued by Wicklow lifeboat yesterday (Tuesday) morning.
The Wicklow all weather lifeboat launched on Tuesday to assist the yacht off the Wicklow coast.
The vessel was on passage from Canary Islands to Dun Laoghaire, to take part in the Round Ireland Yacht Race.
The skipper of the fifteen-metre trimaran yacht contacted the Coast Guard after it developed problems and lost power, ten miles off the Wicklow coast. He was concerned the drifting vessel could be a hazard to shipping due to fog.
The lifeboat under the command of Coxswain Nick Keogh launched at 10.40 a.m. and was alongside the drifting casualty at 11.15 a.m. Lifeboat volunteer Alan Goucher was transferred onto the yacht to assist with attaching a towline.
Weather conditions at the time were described as wind easterly force one, the sea state was calm, but visibility was poor due to dense fog in the area.
The inshore lifeboat helmed by Vinnie Mulvihill and two crew was subsequently launched to assist the all-weather boat with the berthing operation. The yacht was towed into Wicklow harbour and was safely alongside the East pier by 12.30pm.
The callout also interrupted a group of first class students from Wicklow Educate Together National School, who were visiting the station at the time. Lifeboat Visit Officer John Hayden gave a running commentary to the group from the assembly area on the pier, as the crew arrived and launched on an actual shout.
Speaking after the callout, Lifeboat Operations Manager Des Davitt said: ‘ The crew were delighted to be able to help the two sailors after their vessel lost power. We also appreciate the help from Wicklow Sailing Club, who launched two ribs to assist with the berthing of the 12-metre wide trimaran.’
The lifeboat was also in action on Sunday when it was called to rescue an English motor cruiser which had developed mechanical problems four miles south of Wicklow harbour.
A towline was established and the vessel was brought safely to Wicklow harbour.