As people were relaxing enjoying the Bank Holiday, the Arklow RNLI volunteers were called to action for the first of 3 rescues.
The first rescue was a dog which was found swimming across the harbour, some of the volunteer crew were relaxing at their own boats when the dog was noted in the water and headed towards the river and on to sea, a crewmember and his son launched his own boat and recovered the dog.
A while later another animal was spotted in the harbour, another of the crew and his friend launched his own boat to see if they could assist the animal- it later transpired it was the same dog, the dog was brought ashore and reunited with its owner.
The third rescue of the day followed a Pager Alert at 4.09pm to reports of a vessel in difficulty and adrift near Clogga bay.
Within minutes the volunteer crew had launched Arklow Lifeboat Ger Tigchlearr
The volunteers made their way to the reported position and located the casualty vessel, a dismasted 35 foot yacht with 4 persons aboard, 3 miles South of Arklow .
Upon arrival at the vessel, Coxswain Ned Dillon approached the vessel to assess the situation and it was decided to put a lifeboat crewman aboard to assist the vessel crew in clearing and securing the mast and to set up a towline. In a North Easterly wind with approximately 1 metre wave height, the vessel was towed slowly back to Arklow due to the trailing mast and prevailing conditions.
Once back at Arklow Harbour the vessel was placed alongside with the assistance our Arklow RNLI’s shore crew.
The crew for this callout were, Coxswain Ned Dillon, Brendan Dillon, Eddie McElheron, James Russell, Daniel Downey, Geoff Kearnes & Dave Molloy.
Following the callout, Mark Corcoran Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said:
“A busy day around the harbour, thanks to all of our volunteers who are always rescue ready, thankfully they lads were present and seen Penny the Dog on her adventures In the harbour, a positive end to what could have been a much worse day”.
