24/05/2026
🆘 Early morning call-out for Fenit RNLI after 3am alert for yacht
🛟 Fenit RNLI’S all weather lifeboat volunteer crew were called out early this
morning (Sunday May 24th) when a yacht lost its power and steerage North of Loop head, Co. Clare.
📟 The lifeboat crew pagers were sounded at 3.03am, after a Pan-Pan signal was made from the 10-metre vessel, and the Irish Coastguard contacted Fenit RNLI’s Launch Authority on duty Peter Clifford who requested the launch of the all-weather Lifeboat Robert Hywel Jones Williams. The vessel had been enroute from Rossaveel, Co. Galway to Kilrush, Co. Clare.
The yacht, carrying three people on board, initially reported that it had lost engine power and was experiencing difficulties with its rudder. The MFV Celtic Sun, which was fishing in the area at the time, heard the Pan-Pan signal and responded, arriving first on
the scene. The vessel remained on standby until the Fenit RNLI lifeboat arrived. Sea conditions during the rescue were favourable, with a force 3 south-westerly wind and a 2.3-metre swell.
Fenit all-weather lifeboat arrived on scene at 04:40am. Contact was made with the crew, who were all fit and well and Coxswain Kevin Moriarty, assessed the situation. After consulting with the skipper, it was determined that a tow was necessary and would be the safest way to assist the crew and bring them to safety. A towline was successfully established at 04:55am, the yacht was towed to the safety of Fenit harbour, arriving at 10:20am.
Once satisfied that the yacht and its crew were secure, the lifeboat returned to the station, where she was refuelled, washed down and ready for any further calls.
Six volunteers were on-board the lifeboat for the operation: Coxswain Kevin Moriarty, Mechanic Kevin Honeyman, and crew members Caroline Corkery, Ciaran Forde, Cian Lawless, Shane Mulcair and Terry Sheehy.
Speaking following the call-out, Coxswain Kevin Moriarty said that “the training undertaken by the crew was vital and they all worked very well together. I wish the crew of the vessel well on the remainder of their journey. Should anyone get into difficulty at
sea, always call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.
RNLI
Irish Coast Guard
Irish Lifeboats