Fethard RNLI Launch to Assist Lone Sailor Near Barrow Bridge

Volunteer crew members from Fethard RNLI were tasked on Friday morning to assist a lone sailor after their vessel lost power in the Waterford Estuary.

The sailor’s boat was reported adrift in the shipping channel north of Barrow Bridge, posing a potential hazard to navigation in the area.

Fethard RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Naomh Dubhán was launched following a request from the Irish Coast Guard at 11.29am. Volunteer crew travelled by road before launching from Ballyhack and making their way to the casualty vessel in good conditions.

The D-class lifeboat arrived on scene at 12.17pm. After assessing the situation, the RNLI crew decided the safest option was to tow the vessel to the nearest marina in New Ross due to the risk posed in the busy shipping channel.

The casualty vessel was safely secured in the marina by 1.30pm. The lifeboat crew then returned to Ballyhack to recover the vessel before returning to station, where they were ready for service again by 2.49pm.

Domini Codd, Volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager at Fethard RNLI, praised the sailor for seeking assistance promptly.

“The casualty did the right thing by calling for help as soon as possible.

“We would advise that anybody heading out on the water always carries an appropriate means of calling for help and always wears a personal flotation device, such as a lifejacket.”

The RNLI is reminding the public that if they see someone in trouble on the water or along the coast, they should use Marine VHF Channel 16 or dial 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.