RNLI lifeboats battle 20ft waves to help stricken 4,000 tonne cargo ship during Storm Barbara

This dramatic footage shows lifeboat crews battling 20ft waves to save a stricken cargo ship in stormy seas off the Irish coast.

Three RNLI lifeboats raced to the aid of the 4,000-tonne ship after it reportedly lost all power off the east coast of Ireland and was being pushed towards rocks in huge swells during Storm Barbara.

Volunteer crews battled 20ft (6m) swells for around 12 hours to save the freighter, attaching lines to it to prevent it from hitting the rocks.

At one point the vessel was just half a mile from shore, but was saved thanks to the efforts of the lifeboats.

David Maloney, Rosslare Harbour RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, 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 4,000-tonne vessel came within a half a mile of the shore and Dunmore East and Kilmore Quay lifeboat crews had an incredibly difficult job in keeping it away from the rocks.”

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He added: “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 today.”

European storm Storm Barbara hit the UK this week, bringing gale force winds and heavy rain, prompting yellow weather warnings for areas of the south coast, the Midlands, London and East Anglia.