Horrific conditions for two lifeboats Clogher Head and Newcastle 's Mersey class lifeboats were launched in winds of Storm Force 10 to Hurricane Force 12 on 3 February 1994 when an 80ft trawler reported that she was taking water and required a pump.

Both lifeboats were launched from a lee shore in horrific conditions within five minutes of each other around 1420, both with about 20 miles to go to the casualty.

In such severe conditions both lifeboats had to reduce speed and both reported several items of equipment carried away or damaged during the service. They reached the scene at around 1550 and a helicopter lowered a pump to the casualty.

Once the pump was running - and a small fire on the trawler dealt with - the trawler made her way to shelter in Carlingford Lough escorted by the Clogher head lifeboat, Doris Bleasdale.

By 1550 the lifeboat was stood down but could not return to station because the appalling sea conditions there made it impossible to recover her. She remained in the Lough overnight.

The Newcastle lifeboat, Eleanor and Bryant Girling, was diverted to a second casualty, where a crew member had broken his arm, and did not retun home until 1930. She too could not be recovered and was left overnight on a buoy in the harbour..