Portrush Lifeboat assists fishing vessel off Ballycastle

Reports of a fishing vessel with engine failure prompted the launch of the Portrush Lifeboat on Sunday evening.

The volunteer crew on board the RNLI’s All Weather Lifeboat (ALB) arrived on scene at 8.10pm. The fishing vessel was already under tow by another vessel and had transferred the crew into their boat.

A risk assessment was carried out, and it was agreed that that the best option was that Portrush RNLI would take over the tow.

Volunteer crew were transferred onto the stricken vessel to establish the tow lines, and the vessel was taken into the nearest Harbour which was Ballycastle where it was handed over to the Coastguard.

Karl O’Neill Coxswain said: “Weather conditions were ideal for this kind of tow. Once on scene and the risk assessment was carried out it was clear that the best option for both boats was the tow

back to Ballycastle Harbour.”

The ALB and her volunteer crew departed the scene at 9.15pm arrived back in Portrush at 10.30pm.