Multi-agency rescue response to razor boat with two on board
- Pat Nolan
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Sunday 30 November 2025
A razor boat with two fishermen got into difficulty two miles east of Balbriggan, reporting water ingress and a complete loss of power. The callout triggered a multi-agency response involving Clogherhead RNLI, Skerries RNLI and the Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116.
The all-weather Shannon class lifeboat, the Michael O'Brien, launched at 12.59am (Friday 28 November) under Coxswain Gerald Sharkey, with mechanic Barry Sharkey and crew James Kirk, Derek Shevlin, Barbara Kirk and Carol Holdcroft on board.
Arriving on scene at 1.23am, the crew found the vessel had deployed its anchor but had drifted from its original position and was now four miles north-east of Balbriggan in 30-knot south-westerly winds with a one-metre swell. The fishermen had no working VHF radio but were wearing lifejackets.
With the vessel unable to make safe progress, the lifeboat crew established a tow and brought the razor boat to Port Oriel, Clogherhead, where it berthed safely at 2.02am. Clogherhead Coast Guard was waiting on the pier to assist.
The lifeboat was recovered at 3.00am with support from shore crew Brian Boylan, Andy McDonald, Eve Robertson, Caroline Stanley, Seamus McEvoy and Kevin O’Rourke, ensuring the boat was ready for its next service.
Speaking after the callout, Coxswain Gerald Sharkey said: “When their vessel lost propulsion, the fishermen made the right decision to drop anchor and contact the Coast Guard for help.
We always encourage anyone working at sea to keep their vessel well maintained and to ensure you can stay afloat with a lifejacket, stay in touch with a radio or phone, and stay put with a suitable anchor. If you do get into difficulty, call the Coast Guard on VHF Channel 16 or by phoning 999 or 112.”
