RNLI crews assist trawler in difficulty

SKERRIES RNLI was tasked last Sunday week (August 10), along with the Howth RNLI all-weather lifeboat, to assist a trawler in difficulty north east of Lambay Island.

Skerries RNLI volunteer crew launched their Atlantic 85 lifeboat Louis Simpson shortly after 1.30pm following a call to Dublin Coast Guard from a fishing vessel that had fouled its propeller and was drifting in a position north east of Lambay Island.

With large waves rolling in on the slip, the lifeboat, with Joe May at the helm and crewed by Gerry Canning, Simon Shiels and Stephen Crowley, launched with the engines already running in order to get out of the carriage as quickly as possible. The volunteer crew had already entered the co-ordinates given by the stricken vessel and immediately headed for that position.

After 15 minutes it became apparent that the all-weather lifeboat from Howth would reach the casualty at almost the same time as Skerries inshore lifeboat. With conditions on scene reported to be worsening, Dublin Coast Guard requested Skerries RNLI to stand down and return to the station.

At the time of the launch there was a force six to seven north westerly wind and rolling seas.

Speaking after the call out, Gerry Canning, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Skerries RNLI, said:

“The RNLI has a wide range of boats in the fleet to cater for all types of emergencies in all conditions. In this case the Trent all-weather lifeboat from Howth was definitely the right boat for the rescue.