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SIX MEN ON a fishing boat were rescued off Donegal coast in the early hours of this morning.
The boat was rapidly taking in water when Lough Swilly RNLI were called out.
Malin Head Coast Guard raised the alarm at 3:15am and reported the boat two miles north of Dunree Head.
The Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 118 from Sligo was also called.
When the two lifeboats arrived on the scene – all six crew on the stricken vessel were wearing lifejackets and survival suits and they had prepared their life raft for deployment.
Three RNLI crew from the all-weather lifeboat were transferred to the fishing vessel.
Using a salvage pump they started to pump water from the boat and continued for over an hour.
Once the boat was stabilised, the lifeboat escorted the vessel safely back to shore at Rathmullun where it arrived at 7am this morning.
Following the four hour operation, Mark Barnett, Lough Swilly RNLI Coxswain said: “The six fishermen deserve to be commended for their quick actions in the early hours of this morning. They called for help once they got into difficulty and had their life raft ready if needed in an emergency.
The boat had taken on a considerable amount of water but thankfully our crew was able to assist and avoid the vessel from sinking and assist the men safely back to shore.
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Well done to the RNLI
A lot of sailors would have met their doom without the lifeboats, their service is invaluable.
Nice to hear some positive news for a change instead of stabbings, shootings, rapes etc, well done RNLI
One of the truly great voluntary services, I know several people involved, fair ply to them all
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution comes to the rescue again. God save the Queen.
Yes, this great British institution is not vaguely concerned about where it saves lives – here or the UK.
We should be grateful for their continued presence, at no cost to the Irish taxpayer.
It costs us only what we choose to donate….
Well done RNLI without them we would have many life’s needlessly lost at sea. Being a British institution has nothing to do with anything . They Harley go out to save people but ask them if they are British or commonwealth … Oh your irish all,right then well,leave ya too it the. Sort yourself out . These brave lads and lassies put there lives at risk to save everyone in trouble, and put to sea when you wouldn’t even be able to see in front of your face . When you can , donate to the RNLI as all funding from Ireland stays in Ireland to assist and fund all RNLI stations north and south .
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