Kilmore Quay lifeboat in major rescue in Irish Sea

By Dan Walsh

RNLI lifeboats from St Davids, Fishguard, Newquay and Kilmore Quay stations launched to a Mayday distress call from a fishing vessel taking on water on Friday.

The 24 metre Irish trawler had five crew onboard and was some 21 nautical miles North-West of Strumble Head when HM Coastguard alerted Welsh lifeboats just before midday.

The all-weather lifeboats and volunteer crew made best speed to the scene, with Coastguard search and rescue helicopter R936 from Caernarfon also tasked to assist. With no casualties reported, New Quay lifeboat was stood down en-route.

St Davids Tamar class lifeboat Norah Wortley arrived at 1.10pm with sea conditions rough in a force five to seven Easterly wind. Fishguard RNLI’s Trent class lifeboat Blue Peter VII arrived at 1.35pm. With no engine damage and the Coastguard pump sufficiently reducing the water level, it was decided the fishing vessel would be escorted the 35 nautical miles West to Ireland.

Kilmore Quay Tamar class lifeboat Victor Freeman was tasked by the Irish Coast Guard to complete the escort back to Ireland, launching at 2.10pm. At this point, Fishguard lifeboat was stood down and returned to Wales.

St Davids lifeboat escorted the trawler a further 20 nautical miles West South West towards Tuskar Rock until Kilmore Quay lifeboat arrived at 3:20pm and took over the escort. St Davids lifeboat arrived back at their station at 6pm, and Kilmore Quay arrived back to their base shortly after at 6.10pm.