Volunteers from the RNLI came to the aid of a solo sailor after his yacht unexpectedly dismasted off the south Dublin coast yesterday afternoon.
The skipper of the boat made the call at 2:15pm, with the all-weather lifeboat, the Anna Livia, launched to the sailor's aid.
Once on the scene, the lifeboat volunteer crew checked that the skipper was safe and uninjured.
He and his yacht were then towed back to Dun Laoghaire.
Dun Laoghaire RNLI Coxswain Mark McGibney stressed the importance of having a back-up radio following the call-out.
He said: "In this situation where the yacht unexpectedly dismasted.
"The skipper was able to alert the coast guard, as thankfully he had a backup handheld VHF radio.
"It is also essential to always carry a means of communication."
The RNLI operates 46 lifeboat stations in Ireland.
It is independent of government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service.
Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, the charity has saved over 142,200 lives.
