Ballyglass RNLI assisting trawler off Mayo coast

BALLYGLASS RNLI is assisting three fishermen this afternoon after their 40ft trawler got into difficulty off the Mayo coast.

The volunteer crew was requested to launch their all-weather lifeboat shortly after 10 a.m. following a report that a fishing vessel with three onboard was experiencing problems some 28 nautical miles north of Benwee Head.

Weather conditions at the time were described as favourable, with a calm sea and good visibility.

The lifeboat, under Coxswain John Walsh, and with six crew members onboard, launched at 10.25 a.m.

Once on scene approximately an hour and a half later, the lifeboat crew observed that no one was in any immediate danger and began to work with the fishing crew to set up a tow.

With a rope in place, the lifeboat began the slow tow back to Ballyglass, a passage which is expected to take five hours.

Agatha Hurst, Ballyglass RNLI volunteer lifeboat press officer, said: “The fishermen did the right thing this morning and requested assistance when their vessel got into difficulty. The lifeboat crew successfully set up a tow and we hope to have everyone returned safe and well to Ballyglass later this afternoon.”