Skerries RNLI assist crew of boat off Rockabill Lighthouse

SKERRIES RNLI assisted a motor boat with two men aboard that was experiencing engine difficulties at Rockabill Lighthouse on Sunday afternoon.

Dublin Coast Guard tasked Skerries RNLI shortly after 12.30pm, having received a call from a motor boat that was having difficulty getting their engine to start. The lifeboat was launched with volunteer Philip Ferguson at the helm and crewed by Paddy Dillon, Steven Johnson and JP Tanner.

The crew proceeded on a course to Rockabill Lighthouse as this was the position given by the vessel. Once on scene, they located a five metre motor boat with two men on board that was having difficulty restarting the engine after becoming entangled in a lobster pot.

Following some troubleshooting advice from the lifeboat helm, a former RNLI mechanic, they managed to successfully restart the engine.

The lifeboat then stood by while they tested that everything was running smoothly. With the men happy to be on their way again, the lifeboat returned to base and was made ready for the next call out.

Speaking after the call out, Gerry Canning, Lifeboat Press Officer for Skerries RNLI, said: “Sometimes, even though you are fully prepared, you can just be unlucky. In this case their luck changed quickly as Philip used his experience to get them moving again. Our volunteers are always ready to help in whatever way they can.”