Rib Capsize Dublin Bay

Larry Sea Star · 04 August 2009, 15:23

Helicopter Rescue Action In Dublin Bay

The Irish Coastguard helicopter was called into action this morning after a boat capsized in Dublin Bay.

Two men were winched to safety by the rescue helicopter after they issued a distress call on their VHF radio shortly before 11am.

The men's boat got into distress near the Baily lighthouse at Howth Head as winds in the area were gusting and sea conditions became difficult.

The four-metre rigid inflatable boat capsized as the helicopter rushed to their aid. A spokesman for the Dún Laoghaire RNLI lifeboat said the specialist rescue aircraft left from Dublin airport and arrived at the scene at 11.20am before and winching both casualties from the water.

"Carrying a marine VHF radio enabled the crew of this boat to make direct contact with the coastguard by issuing a Mayday distress call," said Stephen Wynne, lifeboat operations manager with the RNLI at Dún Laoghaire.

Had they relied on a mobile phone, they might not have had coverage with the steep cliffs at Howth or the phone could have been wet and useless - it was a lucky escape."

chewy · 04 August 2009, 16:25

Sr4?

prairie tuber · 04 August 2009, 16:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Sea Star

Had they relied on a mobile phone, they might not have had coverage with the steep cliffs at Howth or the phone could have been wet and useless - it was a lucky escape."

Even if it was in a freezer bag???

Larry Sea Star · 04 August 2009, 18:13

Yep definitely looks like a Sr4, there were more pictures in the printed edition of the paper which show it slightly better..

spartacus · 04 August 2009, 20:25

Anyone with more pictures? Glad everyone is okay.
What do you reckon... misjudged sea conditions and too much throttle? I'd have thought turning turtle is still relatively uncommon, however accidents happen when you least expect them.

chewy · 04 August 2009, 21:05

Looking at the waves behind em I think they may have over cooked one slightly.

m chappelow · 04 August 2009, 21:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

Looking at the waves behind em I think they may have over cooked one slightly.

i would agree chewy ,as the photo is taken looking downwards which always seems to make waves look smaller than they actually are ,...there are one or two big ones in there .