Lough Swilly RNLI launches new lifeboat after person gets into difficulty

Lough Swilly RNLI’s new Atlantic 85 class lifeboat launched for the first time yesterday after a person got into difficulty on a motorboat near Fahan Marina.

The volunteer crew were preparing to launch on a training exercise on Davdot, when Malin Head Coast Guard requested their assistance at 7.32pm. The Coast Guard had received a 112 call from a person aboard an 18ft motorboat, reporting a fuel line failure and concerns about the vessel drifting onto rocks on the incoming tide.

The RNLI lifeboat helmed by Barry Johnston and with crew members Stephen Doherty, Barry Nixon and Shane Meehan onboard, launched immediately and made its way to the Scene. Weather conditions at the time were good with a moderate wind and calm seas.

Once on scene, the crew observed that the casualty, who was wearing a lifejacket, was safe and well but could not make any safe onward progress due to the incoming tide and the risk of the boat drifting onto rocks. A decision was made that the safest course of action was to tow the vessel to the nearby Fahan Marina.

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Speaking after the call out, Barry Johnston, Lough Swilly RNLI Helm, said: “We would like to commend the person on board the motorboat who was appropriately dressed and wearing a lifejacket and equipped with a means of communication to make the 112 call when they knew they were in difficulty.

“As the pleasure boating season starts, we would encourage anyone planning a trip on the water, to always check the weather and tide times before venturing out, to tell someone where you are going and when you are due back and to ensure your engine is well maintained.”

This was the first call out for Davdot, which arrived on station on 8 April, and the first inshore lifeboat call out of 2026.