Praise for Howth RNLI

LOCAL RNLI crewmembers have been praised after they rescued two people and their sailing vessel after it started to sink.

Howth RNLI launched their all weather lifeboat on bank holiday Monday to reports of a sailing vessel taking on water and starting to sink seven miles east of Howth.

Howth RNLI said: “The pagers sounded at 8.24am and the all weather lifeboat launched at 8.33am to reports of (a) 48ft Ketch sailing vessel which was taking on water and in danger of sinking.  

“The all weather lifeboat located the casualty vessel seven miles east of Howth with two people aboard.  

“Two lifeboat volunteers were placed aboard the casualty vessel with a high powered water pump. “The all weather lifeboat took the casualty vessel under tow to the safety of Howth Marina. The two people aboard the yacht were in good spirits and thanked the RNLI for their help.” 

The wind was Force 5 westerly and the sea state was a metre a half swell at the time.

Speaking following the call out, Ian Sheridan, Howth RNLI deputy Coxswain, said: “We were delighted to be able to launch so quickly and locate the sailing yacht fast enough to be able to save the vessel from sinking and bring them back to the safety of Howth Marina.

“We remind everyone going to sea to always respect the water and always have a means of communication aboard. 

“The casualty vessel in this instance was able to make immediate contact as soon as they discovered a problem and we were able to act accordingly.”

Senator Catherine Noone (FG) commended the heroics of Howth RNLI. 

Senator Noone, a Fine Gael candidate in Dublin Bay North in the next general election, said: “The heroism of the volunteers of the Howth RNLI, symbolise the best of our society.

“The rescue team sprang into action following reports of a sailing vessel in distress on the Howth peninsula. Their willingness to put themselves in harm’s way to protect members of the public is truly inspirational.

“Not only did the rescuers return the two passengers of the vessel safely to land but also managed to prevent the vessel from sinking, due to their speed and efficiency.”