By Dan Walsh
Kilmore Quay RNLI launched on Saturday afternoon to assist the crew of a 10-metre fishing boat with a fouled propeller drifting towards the Keeragh islands.
The volunteer crew were requested to launch their all-weather Tamar class lifeboat RNLB Killarney by the Irish Coast Guard at 2.18 pm. The lifeboat under Coxswain Nigel Kehoe and with five crew members on board promptly launched and made its way to the scene, five nautical miles north west of Kilmore Quay at the Keeraghs.
Arriving at the location at 2.45 pm, the lifeboat crew checked that everyone on board the vessel was safe and well before assessing the situation. Taking into consideration the wind and tidal conditions on site, it was decided that the safest course of action was to establish a tow to bring the disabled craft back to shore.
Weather at the time was described as good with a Force 2 to 3 westerly wind and slight sea state.
The lifeboat was soon under way to the nearest available harbour at Kilmore Quay arriving at 3.50 pm. The fishing vessel safely secured at the pier, the lifeboat returned to its berth in the marina and was made ready again for service.
Speaking following the call out, Coxswain Nigel Kehoe commended the crew of the fishing vessel for their quick action in raising the alarm saying: “The lads made the right decision to call for assistance when they did. We would remind anyone planning a trip to sea to always wear a life jacket and to always carry a means of calling for help. If you do get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.”
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