Rosslare RNLI launched its all-weather lifeboat at 3.45am on 14 September following a distress call from a yacht with two people on board.

The eight-metre vessel had suffered engine failure and drifted onto the rock armour at Rosslare Harbour.

The crew were seeking shelter from the weather, which had worsened to a strong force seven north westerly gale. The RNLI says the wind was blowing into the mouth of Rosslare Harbour.

When the lifeboat crew arrived, they found that one of the yacht’s crew had been able to leave the boat and make it onto the rocks.

However, due to high waves and the rocks, it was not possible to attach a towline to the yacht from the lifeboat.

Two of the RNLI crew successfully managed to get the remaining occupant off the boat from the land side of the harbour. The lifeboat remained offshore providing cover.

The couple were brought to the lifeboat station to get warm and recover from their ordeal. They were also provided with dry clothes. They are currently being looked after by villagers at Rosslare Harbour.

Speaking after the incident, the Rosslare Harbour RNLI volunteer lifeboat press officer, Jamie Ryan, praised the efforts of the lifeboat crew.

“It was a challenging rescue in the early hours as the boat was getting dashed against the rocks and we needed to get the two crew members to safety,” he said.

“The best way to recover them was from the land side, with the lifeboat providing cover from the sea,” continued the press officer.

“The boat has suffered major damage, but the two people are recovering well from the incident. The couple, who are not from Ireland, are being looked after by the people of Rosslare,” concluded Ryan.