LAST UPDATE | 30 Dec 2023

TWO PEOPLE HAVE been rescued from a yacht after it was blown away from the north Dublin coast.

Howth RNLI responded to a report received after midday on Friday that a yacht had been blown offshore and was unable to make its way to its destination or to a harbour.

The yacht was south of Lambay Island, the largest island off Ireland’s east coast.

The Irish Coast Guard described visibility as good but sea conditions as “challenging”, with winds blowing force 5 to 6, and gusting force 7.

All-weather lifeboat the Roy Barker III was launched within 10 minutes and was on the scene in 15 minutes, the Coast Guard said.

A lifeboat crew member assessed the two people on board the yacht and established they were “wet and cold but otherwise unharmed”.

The coxswain decided to tow the yacht to Howth harbour, and the lifeboat returned to its station at 1.40pm.

Howth RNLI Second Coxswain Ian Sheridan said: “As the weather conditions were deteriorating, the crew of the yacht did the right thing in calling for help before it was too late.

“Our volunteer crew responded to the pager quickly and we were able to launch and locate the yacht within 25 minutes of their call for help.

“We train regularly in all weather conditions to ensure that when the pager goes off we can get out to sea to save lives and get back safely.

“This type of callout for the RNLI provides a good opportunity to remind boat owners to always check the weather forecast and sea conditions before you set off and have a means of calling for help at all times.

“If you get into difficulty or see anyone in distress on or close to the water, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.”