Bundoran RNLI comes to the rescue of boat with engine failure at Mullaghmore

The Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat was called to aid a 5.5-meter RIB boat that came into difficulty after suffering engine failure near Mullaghmore, Sligo, on Sunday afternoon.

The craft, with one person on board, had suffered engine failure and was drifting close to the rocks. Within minutes of the 2:34pm call, the Atlantic 85 lifeboat William Henry Liddington, with helm Elliot Kearns and crew members Killian O'Kelly, Richard Gillespie, and Mark Vaughan, launched and were on the scene.

Arriving on the scene, the crew observed that the casualty was wearing a lifejacket and had all the correct gear with him. However, the boat engine had failed, and the boat was in danger of drifting.

The crew, having assessed the situation, deemed an alongside tow was essential to preserve safety to shipping, and they proceeded to bring the casualty safely back to the nearby Mullaghmore.

Volunteer lifeboat helm Elliot Kearns said: `When planning a trip to sea preparation is key, and we would always advise boaters to have basic safety equipment on board and always have a means to call for assistance when required.`

If you are planning a trip on the water, tell someone else where you’re going and when you’ll be back. This means that they can raise the alarm with the coastguard by calling 999 or 112 if you are overdue.