RNLI comes to aid of fishermen off Co Down coast

The Portaferry RNLI lifeboat was launched around 6.45pm on Thursday after the Coastguard reported that the 36ft angling boat was in difficulties at South Bay, north east of Ballyquinten Point.

The two crew on board the stricken vessel had been on their way to Carrick Marina when they began to lose power and contacted the emergency services for assistance.

When the volunteer RNLI crew arrived on scene at 7.10pm they assessed the situation and, with nobody in immediate danger, established a towline and started to tow the casualty vessel back to Strangford Marina in Strangford Lough.

Weather conditions at the time were described as clear with a slight sea swell, excellent visibility and a force 1-2 westerly wind.

Brian Bailie, Lifeboat Operations Manager for the Portaferry RNLI Station said: “Once again it has been a great outcome and testament to the hard work and training the RNLI volunteers put in to answer calls for help at sea. The two men on board the casualty boat took the right decision to call for assistance before their situation could become potentially more serious.”