#RNLI - A lifeboat crewmember from Clogherhead RNLI has been praised for his swift actions in rescuing two men from a fishing vessel that sank at the weekend.
Sean Flanagan and his son were fishing approximately two miles away from Port Oriel in Co Louth on Saturday 23 August when they noticed a Razor fishing boat sink a mile in the distance shortly before 5.30pm.
Flanagan, a highly trained volunteer crewmember, raised the alarm and made a Mayday call. He quickly hauled his gear and made best speed to the scene where he found two men in the water alongside their sunken boat.
Together with his son, Flanagan successfully pulled the men out of the water and into the safety of his vessel.
Meanwhile, Clogherhead RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat under coxswain Tomas Whelan and with four crewmembers on board had launched and made its way to the scene. The Dublin-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116 was also tasked.
Weather conditions at the time were described as good with clear visibility and a calm sea state.
The casualties were transferred to the lifeboat on arrival where they were medically assessed by lifeboat crew. They were then airlifted by helicopter to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.
Speaking following the callout, Whelan said: "We have to commend the swift actions of our lifeboat crew member Sean Flanagan who not only made the Mayday call for the emergency services but then rapidly went to the scene and rescued the two men from the sea."