The Courtmacsherry RNLI lifeboat was called out yesterday to go to the aid of divers whose boat had got into difficulties 10 miles off the Old Head of Kinsale in west Cork.
The divers were operating on the wreck of the Lusitania when their boat developed mechanical problems. The lifeboat launched immediately with a crew of seven, as did the Coast Guard rescue helicopter.
The lifeboat reached the scene at 4.35pm, took the divers on board and then towed the vessel to Courtmacsherry. Conditions at sea were windy.
The wreck of the liner, sunk by a German U-boat in 1915, is a popular dive spot for professional and leisure diving teams.