THE VOLUNTEERS OF the Arklow RNLI lifeboat were, like many, all set to watch Germany take on Argentina in the World Cup final last night.

That was until they received a pager call just as the game kicked off.

The volunteer crew dropped what they were doing and made straight for the lifeboat station and within minutes of the alert, the boat Ger T was en-route to the distressed vessel and crew, which was a short distance from the Roadstone Jetty, south of Arklow Harbour.

Once on scene it was established that the pleasure craft was taking on water and the 3 crew members were evacuated to the lifeboat.

A tow line was set up and the small craft was towed back to Arklow Lifeboat Station where RNLI volunteers brought it safely up on to the inner slipway.

The three crew of the stricken craft were brought ashore safely at the lifeboat station.

Following the callout, Declan Smullen, Deputy Launching Authority said; “Thanks to all of our volunteers, who drop everything in their personal lives when the pagers sound, they are out in all weathers, 24/7/365, to save lives at sea.”

Read: Coast Guard warnings after children found in tiny dinghy off Dublin coast