Limerick firefighters cut stricken vessel’s anchor in dramatic river rescue

LIMERICK firefighters had to quickly cut the anchor of a stricken vessel to stop it from capsizing in a dramatic river rescue.

It is understood that the boat had run out of fuel with one person on board at the mercy of the tide.

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The unusual incident took place shortly before 9am on Monday morning near Curraghgour Boat Club, at the back of Arthur’s Quay Park in Limerick city. The boat was marooned on the weir where the Abbey river joins the Shannon. As the vessel had run out of fuel it couldn’t free itself.

Limerick Fire and Rescue Service launched their swift water craft and positioned it next to the bigger boat called the “Tin Lizzie”. One onlooker told Limerick Live that firefighters had to use an angle grinder to cut the anchor to free the “Tin Lizzie”.

“It was precarious enough as they had to use an angle grinder while their own boat was bobbing up and down in the river.

"The tide was going out and it would have keeled over with the fella on board if they hadn’t got it moving. They got it free and managed to manoeuvre it down river,” they said.

Following a media query, a spokesperson for Limerick City and County Council said: “Limerick Fire Service assisted a vessel this morning after it got into difficulty, by helping it navigate through the bridges and escorting it to the safety of Limerick Docks.  

“Limerick Fire Service also provided a supply of fuel to the vessel.”