Portrush lifeboat is too badly holed to be recovered by sea and will be removed overland.
Attempts to refloat the Portrush lifeboat Katie Hannan have been abandoned because the 17m boat is too badly holed. The stricken craft, which has a 3m long by 10cm wide crack along the bottom of her hull, will now be lifted on to a barge for removal.
Katie Hannan was left high and dry on Rathlin Island by a freak wave two weeks ago while trying to save the crew of a RIB that had got into difficulties. Coastguards rescued the RIB crew and also helped the lifeboat crew ashore.
A relief lifeboat has already been placed on station at Portrush, but it is reported that Katie Hannan may be damaged beyond repair.
