Rosslare launch to yacht at rock armour. Pic: RNLI / Rosslare

VOLUNTEER LIFEBOAT crew from Rosslare RNLI had an early wake-up call when they were called to assist in the rescue of a couple on board a yacht which had suffered engine failure and drifted on rock armour.

The crew was called into action at around 3:45 a.m. on Wednesday last following a distress call. The eight-metre vessel was seeking shelter from the weather, which had worsened with a strong force seven north-westerly gale, blowing into the mouth of Rosslare Harbour.

One of the yacht’s crew was able to leave the boat and make it onto the rocks. Due to the high waves and the rocks, it was not possible to attach a towline to the yacht from the lifeboat.

Two volunteers from the lifeboat successfully managed to get the remaining occupant off the boat from the landside of the harbour while the lifeboat stood offshore providing cover. The couple was brought to the lifeboat station to get warm and recover from their ordeal. They were also provided with dry clothes.

Speaking after the rescue, Rosslare Harbour RNLI Press Officer Jamie Ryan commended the actions of the lifeboat crew who rescued the woman who had remained on board the yacht.

“It was a challenging rescue in the early hours as the boat was getting dashed against the rocks and we needed to get the two crew members to safety. The best way to recover them was from the landside with the lifeboat providing coveer from the sea.”

He added: “The boat has suffered major damage but the two people are recovering well from the incident. The couple, who are not from Ireland, are being looked after by the people of Rosslare.”