Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat, Austin Lidbury, launched at 18:15 on Thursday, 24 September, in response to a call for assistance.  The 36 ft. Irish registered fishing vessel, with two persons aboard, reported mechanical difficulties 12.5 miles south of Ballycotton.  The RNLI lifeboat reached the casualty at 19:00 hours and established a tow.

The stricken fishing vessel arrived back in Ballycotton at 20:40 hours where it was safely secured alongside the pier wall.

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 go to www.ballycottonlifeboat.org

RNLI 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

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.