Two Fishermen Rescued After Vessel Sinks off Drogheda Coast

Two fishermen were rescued in the early hours of Thursday morning after their vessel sank off the coast of Drogheda, Co. Louth.

The alarm was raised just before midnight when the Irish Coast Guard‘s Marine Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Dublin received a distress signal via an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). The beacon, automatically triggered upon submersion, pinpointed the vessel’s last known location.

The Dublin-based Coast Guard helicopter R116, which had been conducting overnight training nearby, was immediately diverted to the scene. The Drogheda Coast Guard Unit and the Clogherhead RNLI were also dispatched as part of the coordinated rescue effort.

Using advanced Night Vision Infra-Red Systems (NVIS) and night vision goggles, the helicopter crew located the two men in the water and successfully winched them to safety. Both were wearing life jackets

The rescued crew members were handed over to the HSE for medical evaluation and treatment.

The prompt activation of the EPIRB and the helicopter’s night vision technology were instrumental in the successful outcome of the operation.