9:03 PM 30th Nov. 2011
Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat was launched this evening, Wednesday, 30 November, at 2040 hours to an Irish registered fishing vessel taking water approx. 20 miles south east of Ballycotton.  The Waterford based Coastguard helicopter, Rescue 117, was also launched and is en route to the fishing vessel.  Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat is expected to be with the casualty at approx. 2130 hours.  Weather conditions are rough with winds blowing Force 8 in the area.  When on scene attempts will be made to place a salvage pump aboard the fishing vessel to help manage the water intake and the fishing vessel will be taken under tow. More to follow later….

Wed, Nov 30th, 2011 at 11:17 PM - Latest : The alarm was raised this evening, 30 November, by an Irish registered fishing vessel taking in water approx. 20 miles south east of Ballycotton.  Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat and the Waterford based Coastguard helicopter, Rescue 117, were requested to launch to lend assistance.

With winds blowing up to Force 8 in Ballycotton the RNLI lifeboat, Austin Lidbury, with its volunteer crew, slipped her moorings at 2045 hours and headed towards the fishing vessel’s reported position.  The four man crew of the fishing vessel were keeping the water intake under control with buckets and steamed their fishing boat towards the oncoming lifeboat.  Conditions in the area were poor, with high winds, rough seas and squally showers.  At 2140 hours the Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat arrived on scene with Rescue 117 arriving shortly thereafter.

The emergency services stood by the fishing vessel while it headed towards Ballycotton harbour under its own power.  Rescue 117 returned to base having updated themselves on the situation and the Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat escorted the fishing vessel for the remainder of the journey.  The fishing vessel arrived in Ballycotton at 2300 hours and an RNLI salvage pump was placed aboard to extract the excess water.  The four man crew offered their thanks to the emergency services for the assistance given.