FOUR FISHERMEN HAVE been rescued by a Co Waterford lifeboat crew after their vessel got into difficulty off the coast this morning.

A crew from Dunmore East and Fethard RNLI were involved in the rescue shortly after 8am, following a report that a 15-metre fishing boat carrying four people had gotten into difficulty off Hook Head in Waterford Harbour.

The vessel, Coral Strand, was taking on water and had ran aground at Garrylough near Duncannon, according to the RNLI. Weather conditions at the time were described as foggy with a moderate sea state.

The fishermen on board the Coral Strand had used their own liferaft to evacuate the vessel and had gone aboard a nearby vessel; they were subsequently transferred to the Dunmore East all-weather lifeboat.

Crew members boarded the vessel to examine the damage and was determined it was not possible to pump the water out sufficiently to reflate the boat.

The crew of the stricken vessel were subsequently brought safely ashore to Dunmore East where they were made comfortable.

“The fishermen acted with safety in mind when they got into difficulty launching their liferaft to evacuate the vessel. This operation involved a multi-agency response and we are glad that all four onboard the stricken vessel have been returned safely ashore this morning,” said Ciaran O’Mullain, Dunmore East RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager.

The emergency services involved in this rescue operation included Dunmore East and Fethard RNLI, the Irish Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter 117, Fethard Coast Guard Unit and the LE Ciara.