Dramatic footage shows RNLI lifeboats battling 20ft waves to stop 4,000-tonne cargo ship being dashed against rocks during Storm Barbara

 

• The 4,000-tonne Lily B lost power during Storm Barbara while off the Irish coast
• Three RNLI lifeboats raced through 20ft waves to attach tow lines to the vessel
• At one stage the Lily B, with its crew of nine, was just half a mile from Hook Head
• Following a 12-hour operation, the Lily B was towed safely to Waterford docks 

These are the terrifying scenes as three RNLI lifeboats battled 20ft waves and force eight winds to prevent a stricken 4,000-tonne cargo freighter from being dashed upon the rocks during Storm Barbara.  

The Lily B declared an emergency on Tuesday afternoon after it lost all power off the Irish east coast and was being pushed towards the rocks at Hook Head lighthouse on the Wexford coast. 

The lifeboat crews attached lines to the stricken vessel and prevented it from being pushed onto the shore while a tug was sent to the scene in what turned into a 12-hour rescue operation. 

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Three RNLI lifeboats were involved in a major operation to prevent the 4,000-tonne Lily B from being dashed against rocks on the Irish east coast after the freighter lost all power during Storm Barbara

The RNLI explained that its lifeboats are 42 tonnes compared with the 4,000-tonne freighter

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The Lily B declared an emergency after it lost all power during Storm Barbara on Tuesday

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The three RNLI lifeboats went out to help prevent the 4,000-tonne cargo vessel from being pushed onto the rocks at Hook Head lighthouse on the Wexford coast

The volunteer lifeboat crews in Dunmore East, Kilmore Quay and Rosslare Harbour went to the rescue when the cargo freighter, which was carrying coal from northern Germany, requested urgent help at 3pm.

Without any power to navigate the stormy seas the Lily B, with a crew of nine, had been pushed within half a nautical mile of the rocks of Hook Head. 

Footage from the lifeboats and a rescue helicopter captured the stormy seas as waves crashed over the stricken boad

An RNLI spokeswoman: 'In force eight conditions, Dunmore East and Kilmore Quay RNLI established tow lines onto the drifting vessel which was then very close to the rocks. The two lifeboats maintained the tow and kept the cargo ship away from shore while a tug was en route from Waterford. Rosslare RNLI stood by.

'Battling strong waves over six metres high, the three lifeboat crews worked together to ensure the cargo vessel stayed away from the rocks until the tow was passed to the tug on its arrival at 5.40pm. 

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The RNLI spent 12 hours with the cargo vessel until it was towed safely to Waterford

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The Irish Coast Guard Helicopter recorded the rescue after it was called out in case the crew  had to be lifted off the Lily B

'Escorting the vessels until they reached the calmer waters of Waterford Harbour in the early hours of Wednesday the lifeboat crews were eventually stood down and returned to station.'

Rosslare RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager David Maloney said: ‘If it wasn’t for the work of the three lifeboat crews out in force eight conditions I fear the vessel would have hit the rocks and there could have been a serious loss of life. 

'The Dunmore East and Kilmore Quay lifeboat crews had an incredibly difficult job in keeping it away from the rocks.

‘The seas were huge, and it would not have been pleasant for anyone out there in those conditions. 

'The lifeboat crews were out for over 12 hours in a callout that involved serious skill and concentration and I am tremendously proud of all three lifeboat crews involved. Thankfully we did not have a tragedy.’

The Irish Coast Guard also sent its Rescue 117 helicopter based in Waterford to provide assistance, in case the crew had to be airlifted to safety.