Dún Laoghaire RNLI rescue three Howth sailors in difficulty off Dalkey Island

The Dún Laoghaire RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 1.07pm on Saturday afternoon, following a request from the Irish Coast Guard to assist three sailors aboard a 32 foot (9.75 metre) yacht two miles northeast of Dalkey Island.

The skipper of the yacht had raised the alarm after experiencing difficulties when a propeller fouled in a lobster pot line.

The sailors had been trying to free their vessel for some time, on their own but to no avail.

The Dún Laoghaire all-weather lifeboat crew arrived at the casualty vessel at 1.30pm. Initial attempts to grapple the pot line were unsuccessful.

Given the yacht was at the edge of Dublin Port’s VSS (Vessel Separation Scheme), Coxswain David Branigan assessed the situation and decided it was appropriate for two crew members to be transferred aboard the vessel.

With some persistent effort, a challenging line was cut, and the boat was set free.

The operation took over an hour to free the vessel.

The skipper of the casualty vessel was happy to set sail for its home harbour of Howth.

The lifeboat returned to the station in Dún Laoghaire, arriving at 3:50pm.

There were six volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat, Coxswain David Branigan, mechanic Stuart Kane and crew members Lorcán Kane, Moselle Hogan, Simon Wall and Ciara Doran. Assisting at the station was Ciarán Deane.

Initially, it was a slight sea, but wind against tide led to a 1 metre swell.

Conditions at sea during the call were moderate to fresh, with a force 4 wind against tide.

Speaking following the call out, Coxswain David Branigan said: ‘The sailor did the right thing in calling for assistance, and we were happy to be able to help them.

“Should you get into difficulty at sea, contact the Coast Guard on VHF channel 16.’