Fethard RNLI was called into action twice within 24 hours at the weekend including one incident which saw them rescuing three people whose boat suffered engine failure (Pic: Courtesy RNLI)
FETHARD RNLI was involved in two dramatic call-outs over the weekend one-of-which involved the rescue of three people onboard a 17-foot open boat that suffered engine failure.
That incident occurred at around 9 a.m. on Saturday morning when the RNLI received a report that the punt was in difficulty off the Keeragh Islands – about two miles out from Cullenstown Strand.
A spokesperson for Fethard in-shore lifeboat said the boat in question had no anchor and was getting washed ashore on Ballyteigue beach when the lifeboat crew intervened and brought the crew to safety; the boat was also recovered by the emergency services.
“The alarm was raised when the punt suffered engine failure and Fethard RNLI was requested to launch by the Coast Guard,” the spokesperson told the Echo.
When the RNLI crew went to the reported scene near the Keeraghs they were unable to spot the boat – on which the VHF aerial was broken.
The search was then extended and a short time later the stricken vessel was spotted getting washed ashore in the surf on Ballyteigue Beach near Cullenstown.
“The punt appeared to have no anchor and was in danger of getting beached,” said the spokesperson.
“Two of its crew had left the vessel and where trying to prevent it getting completely beached [and] as the Fethard lifeboat approached the shore one of the lifeboat crew got into the surf and turned the punt around to establish a tow,” she added.
“Once this was secured the lifeboat towed the vessel with the three crew onboard to the Coalyard at Cullenstown.”
The Fethard RNLI Deputy Launching Authority, Hugh Burke, said the lifeboat crew had to react quickly due to the “changing nature” of the call out.
He said at one point the punt had to be towed through a “very narrow channel” between sandbars.
“I would urge all boat operators to ensure that they have a properly working anchor on their vessel and a means of calling for help,” he said.
“The most benign situations can turn in the blink of an eye and in these cases every second counts.”
Mr. Burke also commented on another incident that occurred less than 24 hours later when the Fethard RNLI was called into action again to tend to a pleasure craft that was drifting off Fethard Harbour with no-one on board.
“The second call out was to a vessel with no one on board which was dragging its moorings and getting entangled in lobster pots,” he said.
The incident occurred at around 9.24 a.m. On Sunday after the drifting vessel was spotted by a member of the public.
The lifeboat crew went to the scene and one of the crew members got out of the rescue craft and freed the pleasure boat from the ropes it was entangled in.
“Vessels that drag or break free of their moorings can quickly become a problem as they move into busy areas or cause an obstruction to other marine traffic,” said Mr. Burke.
“We don’t know who owned the vessel in question but in bringing it in to the safety of Fethard Harbour there is now no danger it will be lost or cause an accident,” he added.
