Fethard RNLI Assist Lone Sailor Adrift in Waterford Estuary
- Pat Nolan
- 13 hours ago
- 2 min read
Monday 18 May 2026
Fethard RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew launched on Friday morning, 15 May, to assist a lone sailor whose vessel had lost power and was drifting in the shipping channel north of Barrow Bridge in the Waterford Estuary.
The alarm was raised after the sailor’s boat became disabled and posed a potential hazard to navigation in the busy channel. Fethard RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Naomh Dubhán was tasked to launch by the Irish Coast Guard at 11.29am.
Volunteer crew members made their way by road before launching the D-class lifeboat from Ballyhack. Conditions on the water were reported to be good, allowing the crew to reach the casualty vessel at 12.17pm.
After assessing the situation, the RNLI crew decided the safest course of action was to take the vessel under tow to the nearest marina in New Ross. The drifting boat was considered a significant risk to other marine traffic using the shipping channel.
The casualty vessel was safely secured in the marina by 1.30pm. The lifeboat crew then returned to Ballyhack, recovering the lifeboat before heading back to station. The crew were ready for service again by 2.49pm.
Speaking after the callout, Fethard RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager Domini Codd praised the sailor for seeking assistance quickly.
“The casualty did the right thing by calling for help as soon as possible,”
Codd also reminded water users of the importance of carrying safety equipment while at sea.
“We would advise that anybody heading out on the water always carries an appropriate means of calling for help and always wears a personal flotation device, such as a lifejacket.”
The RNLI is urging anyone who sees somebody in trouble on the water or along the coast, or who believes someone may be in difficulty, to use Marine VHF Channel 16 or dial 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.
