Shortly before Sam on Saturday, 10 March, both Lough Swilly lifeboats were called to rescue a burning fishing vessel. Mulroy Coastguard also launched and rescued the skipper, who had abandoned the burning vessel and was in a liferaft. He was then airlifted to hospital by the Sligo Air Corps helicopter, where he was treated for smoke inhalation.

Despite the best efforts of the crew, the boat burned down to the water line within 20 minutes and then sank. This was the first callout for Lough Swilly involving the Tyne class lifeboat.THE LIFEBOAT Tyne class lifeboat ON-l 115 Good Shtphttd Bunt 1987 Cost £637.000 Funding An ecumenical appeal to enurehei with othe flift* end legecie* THE CREW COM wain/M echanic Bernard Devlin Second Coxswain George O'Hegan Oew. Members Ctrl Murphy Marie Clire Steventon Berry Stevenion LOUGH SWILLY LIFEBOAT STATION Established 1988 Previous Award Thanks on Vellum 1993 THE CASUALTY 14m Aquastar lishing vessel Lidy olPonnfblmgh Crew Thames McKmley WEATHER Part cloudy Visibility Good Wind NW Force 2-3 Swell 0-1 m.