If there was ever any doubt that the RNLI's technical team designs its lifeboats so that they are sturdy enough to face the worst possible conditions, then the events of Sunday. 9 September were surely proof enough.

At 6.45 that morning, the Rosslare Harbour lifeboat was berthed in the lifeboat pen as the Stena Line, Fishguard to Rosslare ferry was arriving from Wales. As the ferry was being manoeuvred into her berth, adjacent to the lifeboat berth, she struck the pen structure. The sheer size and weight of the ferry meant that she crashed straight through the pen and ploughed into the Arun class lifeboat St Brendan.

The force of the collision virtually destroyed the steel framework of the pen structure and caused extensive damage to the lifeboat. The Arun's deck fittings were swept away and, as the bow of the lifeboat was pushed down by the weight of the ferry, water entered the vessel through the forward spaces. Fortunately, no one was on board the lifeboat and nobody aboard the ferry was injured.

Throughout the day Rosslare lifeboat personnel and divisional staff got the lifeboat ready for sea and eventually she was towed from her mooring for underwater inspection. The inspection revealed that the lifeboat could proceed under her own power to Kilmore Quay.

It happened that the Portrush lifeboat crew were on passage nearby with a relief boat bound for Malahide. They were diverted to Rosslare Harbour instead, leaving the station without lifeboat cover foras short a time as possible. The damaged lifeboat is now at Holyhead awaiting a report from the insurance assessors.

It is unlikely that the lifeboat pen will be rebuilt in the same place, as there is a clear risk of repeat damage and alternative berth locations are being investigated. In the meantime the lifeboat is operating from a deep water mooring. In the aftermath of the collision the efforts of the station honorary secretary Buddy Miller and the Rosslare crew were superb. They were supported by the divisional team, Kilmore Quay lifeboat station personnel, the harbour master and RNLI deputy launching authority, Aidan Jameson, and the Portrush lifeboat crew..