Wicklow RNLI volunteers launch to reports of upturned vessel
Wicklow RNLI volunteers launched both the inshore and all-weather lifeboats on Thursday (10 July) after receiving reports of a potential upturned vessel which had been reported by a member of the public.
The crew pagers sounded at 12:45pm after the Coast Guard received a report from a concerned member of the public about the sighting of a possible overturned paddle/surfboard in the water near the Black Castle.
The volunteer crew of Wicklow Lifeboat station launched the inshore lifeboat Dennis-Audrey 10 minutes later. After beginning the callout in good visibility and calm waters, within half an hour a dense sea fog descended on the area.
At this point it was decided to launch the all-weather lifeboat RNLB Bridie O’Shea to assist with the search. After an extensive search and nothing found the volunteer crew were stood down by the coast guard and began making their way back to the station.
Shortly after arriving back on station and while both boats were being readied for the next callout a further sighting of the upturned vessel was reported. Both boats were immediately launched again with the updated information.
Again, another extensive search was undertaken with much better visibility and this time an object was found. The object was found to be a discarded tonne bag that was floating in the water.
Happy that the issue was now resolved the volunteer crew were stood down and returned to station with both boats made ready for the next callout.
Speaking after the callout Lifeboat Operations Manager Joe Healy said ‘This was a difficult search given the changing visibility. We would like to thank the concerned members of the public for making the call when they thought someone may be in danger. We are very happy to launch and investigate possible sightings like this. We would like to remind people that if they see something on the water that concerns them to please dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.Ends
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The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.
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