Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat launched at 12:00 hours today (15th Feb.) to a fishing vessel with mechanical problems 20 miles south east of Ballycotton.  The lifeboat arrived at the casualty at 13:00 hours and a tow line was established.  The fishing vessel with two persons aboard was taken in tow to Ballycotton where they are due to arrive at 16:10 hours.

* Ballycotton Lifeboat was founded in 1858.  To date, the crew of Ballycotton Lifeboat Station have been awarded seventeen medals by the RNLI, 2 gold, 7 silver and 8 bronze.

* The station has a €2 million, Trent Class lifeboat, Austin Lidbury.  This is a 14 metre, all weather lifeboat, with a top speed of 25 knots

* To learn more about the lifeboat station please go to www.ballycottonlifeboat.org

The RNLI online
For more information on the RNLI please visit www.rnli.ie News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI Press Centre www.rnli.ie/press.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the Ireland and the UK. The RNLI operates over 230 lifeboat stations with 43 in Ireland. The RNLI is independent of the Coast Guard 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 137,000 lives. The RNLI is a charity registered in England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.

RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Bláthnaid Lane Walsh, Lifeboat Press Officer, Ballycotton RNLI station, on 087 4151475 or ballycottonrnli14@eircom.net or Niamh Stephenson, Media Relations Manager Ireland on 087 1254124 or nstephenson@rnli.org.uk