Dunmore East RNLI responds to four call-outs in one busy week
Sunday 27 September 2026
Dunmore East RNLI volunteer crew have responded to four call-outs over the past week, including three launches within a 24-hour period.
The first call-out came on Tuesday, 22 September, at 6.43pm, following a report from a member of the public of a swimmer in Dunmore East Bay who appeared to be making little progress and potentially in difficulty.
The Dunmore East RNLI volunteer crew launched and made their way to the reported location. The crew checked on the swimmer, who confirmed they were comfortable and able to continue without assistance.
The incident was treated as a false alarm with good intent.
The RNLI encourages anyone who believes they can see somebody in difficulty on or near the water to call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.
The volunteer crew were called out again on Saturday, 26 September, at 5.09pm, when a 180-tonne commercial guard vessel lost mechanical control while manoeuvring within Dunmore East Harbour and made contact with a number of small fishing boats.
Dunmore East RNLI was tasked to assist, with the all-weather lifeboat William and Agnes Wray manoeuvring alongside the vessel and establishing an alongside tow.
The lifeboat crew brought the vessel under control and safely returned it to the harbour wall, where it was secured.
The following morning, Sunday, 27 September, at 8.58am, the volunteer crew were called out again during an Orange weather warning, following reports that a sailing vessel had broken free from its mooring and had been beached on Lawlor’s Strand.
Tasked by the Irish Coast Guard, the lifeboat launched in challenging conditions, with winds gusting to near gale force for a short period.
The crew assessed the situation and checked whether anyone had been involved in the incident. The vessel was confirmed to be ashore on the beach and no further immediate assistance was required.
At 5.09pm that evening, the pagers sounded for the fourth call-out of the week and the third within a 24-hour period.
The lifeboat was requested to stand by while Dunmore East Sailing Club worked to recover the yacht from Lawlor’s Strand as the tide rose. The vessel was successfully refloated without incident and was able to return to Dunmore East Harbour under its own power.
The lifeboat was then stood down.
Speaking following the busy week, Dunmore East RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Liz Power said:
“These four call-outs really demonstrate the wide range of situations our volunteer crew can be asked to respond to, from a report of a person potentially in difficulty in the water, to assisting a large commercial vessel and launching in challenging weather conditions.
“I want to commend our volunteer crew for their professionalism, commitment and readiness to respond whenever the pagers sound. Three call-outs within 24 hours is a significant ask, and I’m very proud of the way everyone responded.
“We would also remind people never to hesitate to raise the alarm if they believe someone may be in difficulty. We would always rather respond to a false alarm with good intent than have someone wait too long to call for help.”
The RNLI is reminding people to take extra care around the coast, particularly during periods of strong winds and rough seas.
Those heading afloat are advised to check weather and tide conditions beforehand, ensure boats and moorings are properly secured ahead of severe weather, and always carry a reliable means of calling for help.
If you see someone who may be in difficulty on or near the water, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.
