Portrush RNLI involved in early morning callout

Lough Swilly RNLI and Portrush RNLI (pictured) completed a joint callout this morning to a vessel west of Islay and 30 miles NNE of Malin Head. Photo: Beni McAllister.

placeholder image — Lough Swilly RNLI and Portrush RNLI (pictured) completed a joint callout this morning to a vessel west of Islay and 30 miles NNE of Malin Head. Photo: Beni McAllister.

Four people onboard a vessel 30 miles off the coast of Malin Head in Donegal have been rescued by RNLI personnel following an operation that lasted seven hours.

Crews from both Lough Swilly RNLI in Inishowen and Portrush RNLI responded to a joint callout on Tuesday, while Malin Head Coastguard co-ordinated the rescue operation.

Lough Swilly RNLI launched after 2.40am to assist the vessel, which was located 30 miles north north east of Ireland’s most northerly point and west of Islay in Scotland, with Portrush RNLI being alerted by pager and launching at around the same time.

Portrush's Severn lifeboat took the vessel with the four persons on board on tow as far as Glengad Head.

Lough Swilly's Shannon class lifeboat then took the vessel, which had lost propulsion, on an ‘alongside tow’ to the safety of Portaleen Pier in Glengad in north Inishowen.

Speaking as the operation was wound down the RNLI said: “After seven hours both lifeboats are currently returning to station with everyone safe and well. Many thanks to Malin Head Coast Guard for coordinating this incident.”

And for the Portrush crew they were a special surprise as they returned to base as a pod of dolphins saw them safely home, with the special moment captured by RNLI Portrush volunteer crew members Peter Hughes and Roo McCrudden.

“We had some company on our way home from our shout with Lough Swilly RNLI this morning- what a beautiful sight," the crew posted.

The mission came just days after Lough Swilly RNLI's inshore lifeboat was launched to assist two persons aboard a two metre inflatable dinghy.

The electric motor onboard in that separate incident had lost propulsion and the two people onboard were described as 'drifting further out from the shore.'

RNLI Lough Swilly stated: “The lifeboat and volunteer crew launched and quickly proceeded to the area between Buncrana Pier and Carrickcullion Rocks.

"The two persons were taken aboard the lifeboat and using an along-side tow, all were recovered safely to Buncrana Pier.

"Always remember when going to sea, to bring a means of communication should help be required. The Coast Guard can be contacted via VHF Channel 16 or by mobile phone on 999 or 112.”