Five people were rescued off the coast of Cork yesterday when their fishing vessel lost all power.

The lifeboat crew at Castletownbere RNLI was launched shortly after 1pm to assist the 24-metre vessel, which was four miles west of the Bull Rock.

The drifting vessel was located at around 2:20pm yesterday afternoon, in a five-metre swell and force 7/8 winds.

An RNLI lifeboat crew slowly towed the fishing boat back to Castletownbere, where they berthed safely at around 8:45pm.

RNLI Deputy Launching Authority, Fekix O’Donoghue said: "While the vessel was not initially in any immediate danger, conditions onscene were challenging and the vessel was drifting without power.

"The boat made the right decision to seek assistance and the result was positive."